'Midnight Pass' opens during recent hurricanes

FOX 13's Mark Wilson reports on the debate over the future of the thin stretch of beach in Sarasota known as "Midnight Pass," which reopened due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

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[timreed-dqnx]

I live in the Vamo neighborhood directly across from midnight pass. Both the water & air quality have improved drastically since it reopened. KEEP MIDNIGHT PASS OPEN !!

[tronziebit]

Nature reclaiming what is hers. That is the way....

[edf]

This is how I remember it growing up in the 70's and early 80's

[boster]

Leave the pass alone. Trying to manipulate a sandbar for explosive development is a folly

[zen_XIII]

Mother nature letting these Snobby arrogant Politicians and suits whos boss!

[comfortablynumb]

I grew up in Sarasota and I remember when the pass was a legendary snook fishin spot until it closed when I was 10. Lots of us locals said a hurricane would open it up because that part of the bay needs a drain.
Obviously Midnight Pass needs to stay open. Opening up the pass was the only good thing that happened from the hurricanes.
I live in VA by the Chesapeake Bay now but I really hope they keep the pass open. It might need some rock jetties.
I'd love to go catch some snook down there next summer after they've had time for cleaning up the storm mess and they want visitors again.

[RedemptionReady]

With that flow rate it's gonna get deeper.

Check every bridge with a narrow pass. Pablo Creek bridge is a great example. Current runs 3kt S, 5kts N. It's 40' deep under the bridge.

[Coplandcalm]

That's awesome that's really a beautiful there❤

[RandomJ]

This is the same thing we have going on in Indian River County and our Lagoon. We need a new cut in Vero Beach like there was back in the day. Jaycee Park was a death sentence to the ecology.

[burnout_]

Open Blind Pass and help return Lemon Bay to its original condition

[tsmcbride]

My buddy and I tried swimming across Midnight Pass in the early 80's, we turned back.

[Kristopher-ms]

Now that the results of the pass being open can be seen, you really have to question the decision making process of your state and local governments. Seems like the pass remained closed just because. Now the question is how many other issues remain unresolved just because it’s its easier to do nothing. No one in the local government has a problem with unfettered development.

[CamelliaThornton]

What a breath of fresh air. Go Midnight Pass.

[OrioleBeagle]

Something similar happened in Ocean City, Maryland happened in the early 1960's after a hurricane. It made things much easier for boaters.

[racheller]

Sarasota wants this open !!
The greedy county commissioners should support keeping this area clean!
The fact that it was so dirty and polluted and they kept it closed and took no action should tell you how disgusting the government officials are here, they only care about the rich on Longboat key and getting more money in their pockets!!

[Floridastoughestswimmer]

There used to be a pass over there in Santa Rosa County but it disappeared many years ago

[DATZ]

Homeowners push to close it. Realize they were stupid and push to open it!

Stupid is as stupid does!

[Juan]

Seen it open now and man, what a difference. But, this area during a severe thunderstorm, tropical storm or hurricane will elevate the potential of flooding in the bay. But I do love it open, it’s the way it was mentioned to be.

[willfriar]

Dunedin pass by hurricane Island and Clearwater Beach. caladesi State Park used to be separated by another pass. now and everybody is going in and out by hurricane pass. nature opens and closes passes all the time.

[MrSaxophonix]

Something similar happened when a hurricane hit north of Shell Key Island. There's a breach just north of the sea bird conservancy that boaters anchor and have beach days at. It's a sort of lagoon, and the mangroves are getting increasingly swallowed up by beach now.