Dear FLA Member,

The President of the Friends of Anclote Key State Park and Lighthouse has informed the Florida Lighthouse Association (FLA) that Anclote Key was significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Although we are happy to report that the Anclote Key Lighthouse and its surrounding historic structures weathered the storm relatively unscathed and that the tower’s beacon remains operational, we were saddened to hear that other areas of Anclote Key and the City of Tarpon Springs were not so fortunate.

FLA Lighthouse Delegate Laura Lutter, visited the island with the Anclote Key State Park’s manager on September 30th to help assess the level of damage sustained during the storm. Laura reports that “The island was devastated by the storm. The Department of Environmental Protection anticipates it will be months before the state park can reopen to visitors. The lighthouse is standing and functional, just not accessible right now. The boardwalk and protective fencing are gone. In addition, the town of Tarpon Springs experienced 4-5’ of storm surge during the storm which resulted in widespread flooding throughout much of the town’s low-lying areas, including the sponge docks, waterfront business district, and the FLA’s winter meeting venue Cutsuries, which now needs to rebuild. So many local families have lost everything.”

As a result of these unfortune events, the FLA has been forced to cancel its planned 2024 Fall Membership Meeting which was scheduled to take place at Anclote Key/Tarpon Springs on November 1st, 2nd, & 3rd. Although we are currently unable to hold the meeting at Anclote Key, the FLA plans to reschedule the meeting in 2025 or 2026 after Anclote Key and Tarpon Springs have recovered. The scheduled November FLA board meeting will still take place via ZOOM with details to follow.

FLA is currently exploring the possibility of holding a volunteer working weekend at Anclote Key and/or Tarpon Springs in lieu of the scheduled membership meeting if transportation and accommodations are available. This effort could make a real difference in the recovery of Anclote Key and Tarpon Springs if it can be arranged. Additional information will follow as we learn more. Members who are interested in lending a helping hand in November are encouraged to contact the Florida Lighthouse Association at admin@floridalighthouses.org.

FLA has closed its registration process for the membership meeting and will fully refund all registration fees paid to its members. We apologize for any inconvenience caused to our members and guests.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to notifying you of our next membership meeting to occur at the end of January or the beginning of February 2025.

Kind regards,

Dora Lee & Alan

Co-Chairs

Meetings & Events Committee

Florida Lighthouse Association