See Major Storm Damage at One of Louisiana’s Favorite Beach Vacation Destinations
Panama City Beach, a favored holiday spot for many Louisiana residents, experienced severe destruction due to a storm earlier this week. With a lot of the devastation taking place along Thomas Drive, the damage stretched from Grand Lagoon Bridge South to the beach areas, severely impacting local homes, businesses, and an apartment complex.
The aftermath from the storm revealed streets filled with roofing materials, boards, insulation, and other debris. Particularly hard-hit was the area around Thomas Drive and Treasure Circle, where the storm's impact was most intense, leading to significant structural damage to several houses.
David Blanchard, a local resident, described the extensive damage in the vicinity, including leveled houses and a severely damaged apartment complex near the Legendary Marine. He also mentioned the destruction of Pirate’s Cove, a well-known spot in the area.
A resident of the FogCutter Apartment Complex shared a harrowing account of the moment his roof was torn off during the storm, illustrating the severity of the situation.
The storm did not spare landmark businesses either. Establishments like Shore Shake Pizza, Newby’s on the Curve, and the Thomas Drive Waffle and Omelet House were either heavily damaged or completely destroyed.
Long-time residents, some with over 50 years in the area, ranked Tuesday's storm as one of the worst they have experienced.
Blanchard compared it to previous storms, highlighting its severity and the remarkable devastation it caused.
Despite the extensive damage, the community of Panama City Beach remains grateful that there were no serious injuries.
See more photos and get the full story here.
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Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF