Coastal Flood in St. Lucie, Florida

Moderate to major beach erosion. Sand over-washed two beach access parking areas and erosion damaged the foundation of a pump station.

Hurricane Sandy moved slowly northwest, parallel to the Florida coast, 200-250 miles offshore. Due to the very expansive wind fields associated with the hurricane, sustained tropical storm winds reached the east-central Florida beaches and adjacent portions of the barrier islands. Gusts to tropical storm force occurred throughout the coastal counties, with some interior counties also experiencing tropical storm gusts, especially during passing squalls. Large and pounding surf affected the beaches for six or more high tide cycles, during a period of high astronomical tides. By the end of the event, many of the beaches had sustained moderate to major beach erosion. The erosion damaged several home foundations/patios/pools, and endangered many other beach-front residences and two businesses. Numerous beach cross-overs and lifeguard towers were damaged and sand was washed onto coastal roadways and beach parking areas in several locations. Damage estimates for the east-central Florida beaches totalled 46 million dollars.