Storm Surge/Tide — Coastal Okaloosa, Florida

2008-09-01 · Coastal Okaloosa, Florida

Event narrative

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.

Wider weather episode

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

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 134498. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.