Posted on August 4, 2020
By the time you are reading this, the wind and surf whipped up by Isaias will likely have already started eating away at Brevard’s coastline, striping away public peace of mind as it rips away the barrier island sands that guard us and our properties from the mammoth power of the ocean.
The transformed beachscape could thin out all those beach pilgrimages that have provided a therapeutic respite for many during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The worst-case scenario for beach erosion is a strong storm that approaches parallel to shore, hugs the coastline and lingers, continuously stripping the beach of sand. Before Isaias hit, many were optimistic that if the storm stays far enough offshore it will spare Space Coast beaches from the worst case scenario. Shearing winds and dry air could help weaken the storm before it reaches us.
“Our beaches are in relatively good shape now so I believe our work to date should help protect the dunes and upland infrastructure,” said Mike McGarry, Brevard’s beach renourishment coordinator. “I’m cautiously optimistic that we will fareOK.”
But heavy rains and significant beach erosion are expected, with two- to four-foot storm surge expected through Sunday evening in Brevard, the National Weather Service said Saturday afternoon. Rough surf will cause coastal erosion and life-threatening rip currents, the weather service warned, with winds strengthening to between 55 and 65 mph and gusts up to 80 mph Sunday morning until early Monday morning.
The weather service predicts damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast. Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads will become weakened or wash out and there will be “major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes.” Marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers may suffer moderate damage, the weather service warned, with small craft breaking away from moorings.
Source: coastalnewstoday
