GULFPORT, Fla. — The city of Gulfport is counting its blessings after discovering there were no water damages to anyone’s home or any major issues when Debby brought severe weather to the Bay area last weekend.

In fact, only about a dozen homes have what Gulfport city officials call “superficial or cosmetic damage.”

That’s for the residential community, but at the marina, it’s a very different story. 

What You Need To Know

  • While there were no water damages to anyone's home in Gulfport, grounded boats are now scattered along the beach in Tropical Storm Debby’s wake 

  • Law enforcement, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, have been spending time sorting through all the damage

  • The city of Gulfport is trying to identify the owners of the boats to get the beach cleaned up as soon as possible

  • RELATED: Gulfport first responders take proactive approach to 2024 hurricane season

Grounded boats are now scattered along the beach in Debby’s wake.

Scott Ham, a commercial fisherman, said he got out just in time.

“Most of us didn’t think it was going to be quite as bad as it was,” he said. “And, so, then I decided to cancel my reservation and I just moved as far as I could out, and set out about 200 feet of chain and an anchor that’s larger than I needed for my vessel. And by the gods, I’m still here.”

Law enforcement, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, have been spending time sorting through all the damage. Some officials found it to be a familiar and frustrating situation.

Some of the owners of the boats that were grounded along the shore have not been identified yet. (Spectrum News/Erica Riggins)


“Find a safe harbor. Find an inlet, find a marina somewhere other than this bay, because this is this is too much,” said Gulfport Police Department Special Operations Sgt. Rob Burkhart. “We’ve done this time and time and time again. I mean, I can’t tell you. It’s like we get this beach cleaned up, and now we’re back at it again. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to do this.”

He’s identified 13 boats and counting. It’s a situation city leaders had hoped to prevent before hurricane season.

Crews are still working to get the area cleaned up. (Spectrum News/Erica Riggins)


“We wanted to reach out to the community and express how important it is that we don’t have a situation like we ended up with now," Burkhart said. "That people take time and evacuate when necessary, tie up their boats, anchor them properly, make sure you have the right safety and equipment on board. Make sure you have the right amount of supplies."

He hopes boaters take another look at the marina and take the time to get ready now.

Gulfport city officials say they are trying to identify the owners of the boats to get the beach cleaned up as soon as possible.