State of Florida won't take 'no' for an answer, asks again for federal aid to replenish beaches

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- When Hurricane Sandy stormed past Florida in October, the state dodged a bullet. It wasn't until the storm was far up the coast, Kirt Rusenko saw the extent of erosion left behind in Palm Beach County.

"The sand loss to the dune isn't that great, but the height that's lost exposing all this which used to be buried is amazing," says Kirt Rusenko.
 
Rusenko is a Marine Conservationist in Boca Raton, his first concern is how sea turtles could be affected.
 
"With low sand height any nest that's up here where we're standing could be washed over by a small storm," says Rusenko.
 
That would be a shame considering last season Boca Raton recorded the largest number of turtles hatched in 30 years.

Last month the state of Florida pleaded with FEMA for aid, but was told state and local resources should shoulder the burden alone.
 
The state took a closer look at the damage, pushing Governor Rick Scott to ask for help again.
Pleading this time that the damage is $20 million above what federal law says Florida can afford.

"Following Sandy we lost more sand that any other storm over the last twenty years," says Rusenko.
 
Rusenko admits the damage Superstorm Sandy left in New York and New Jersey far exceeds what Florida sustained. But he says just because our beaches are still here, doesn't mean they weren't affected.