Storm Surge/Tide in Coastal Okaloosa, Florida

As Gustav moved south and west of the area higher than normal tides caused beach erosion in Okaloosa County. High water also washed over Highway 98 between Fort Walton Beach and Destin. The road remained open but traffic was diminished to one lane due to the high water. The storm tide height was estimated at 3-4 feet across the area with the surge height estimated at 2-3 feet. Santa Rosa Sound tide gage measured a storm tide height of 3.1 feet with a surge of 2.4 feet. The East Pass tide gage measured a storm tide height of 3.5 feet with a surge of 2.8 feet. The surge also caused minor beach erosion. Damage estimates from the surge were $200K.

Gustav moved south and west of the northwest Florida coast and brought higher than normal tides to the area.