Some Central Florida beaches to reopen Friday

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County will begin reopening sections of beaches that were closed due to Hurricane Matthew, but Beach Safety officials are still warning swimmers to be careful in the water.

Beach Safety will fly the red flag, which indicates hazardous water conditions.

Viewer photos: Severe weather damage across state

Sixteen miles of beach driving zones were closed due to the extensive debris left behind by the storm.

Jessica Winterwerp, director of the county’s Coastal Division, said while Hurricane Matthew temporarily closed the beach to driving and some dunes were knocked down, it did provide material to help the dunes re-grow.

“This vegetative debris is very beneficial to our dune system as it contains organic matter including mangrove vines, roots, seaweed and seeds,” she said in a press release. “Instead of taking this material off the beach, it’s being placed at the base of the dunes to help grow baby dunes that will help to buffer the coastline during the next storm.”

The following driving zones on the beach will open incrementally starting Friday:

● One way from Seabreeze Boulevard to University Boulevard in Daytona Beach

● One way from International Speedway Boulevard to Silver Beach Avenue in Daytona Beach

● Dunlawton Avenue to Emilia Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores

● Flagler Avenue to Third Avenue in New Smyrna Beach

Athletic Fields

● Flutie Park in Melbourne Beach (except authorized use)

Beach Crossovers

● Bonsteel Park in Melbourne Beach

● Juan Ponce de Leon in Melbourne Beach

Boat Ramps

● Port St. John Boat Ramp in Port St. John

Campgrounds

● Long Point Campground in Melbourne Beach

● Manatee Hammock Campground in Titusville

Centers

● Port St. John Community Center in Port St. John

● Viera Community Park and Community Center (except for authorized use) in Viera

Golf Courses

● Savannahs Golf Course in Merritt Island has 9 holes open

Hammocks:

● Lori Wilson Park Maritime Hammock in Cocoa Beach

● Parks / Trails

● Hatbill Park in Mims

● Intracoastal Waterway Park in Merritt Island

● Wuesthoff Park and Wuesthoff Trail in Titusville

● Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary in Merritt Island

Cox Media Group