JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The dunes along Jacksonville Beach may look like a scenic backdrop for beachgoers, but city leaders say they serve as the first line of defense against hurricanes and tropical storms.

Mayor Christine Hoffman told us storm preparation is a year-round process with city crews ramping up efforts in the days leading up to a major system.

“There’s a year-long process, a lead up into storm season and then a few days before the storm hits so we’re always in some stage of storm preparation,” Hoffman said.

While wave action helps restore some of the shoreline naturally, large-scale renourishment projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers play a crucial role in keeping the dunes stable.

“We do count on the Army Corps of Engineers to come through every couple of ye

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