Coastal storms turn eyes toward beach erosion

VILANO BEACH, Fla. – Red flags were flying Thursday at local beaches, signifying rough water. With storms hammering the coast, erosion is a concern for beach residents.

"The erosion is being caused by a nor'easter that developed off our coast earlier this week," News4Jax meteorologist Blake Mathews said. "A strong easterly wind continues to drive large waves and swells into the coast, more so than normal."

Mathews said that while an east wind is common, it becomes an issue when the wind is strong, allowing larger waves to crash closer to the beach.

"Second, the moon is in the process of becoming full and on Sunday we'll witness a 'super moon' where the moon will appear 14 percent larger than normal," Mathews said. "That is also playing a role in the higher tides." 

In Vilano Beach, erosion was visible, leaving what looked like a small cliff along the shore. Some residents said the area didn't look like that a few days ago.

"I'm not getting too close,” beach-goer Bill Baker said after seeing the small cliff looming over the crashing waves. “I got out and walked on it a little bit at first to make sure it was sound."

He determined the cliff was sturdy enough to park his car on, but the windy conditions kept him inside.

Judy and Rich Watson, who live near Jacksonville Beach, said conditions are pretty good there. Judy Watson said she believes the dunes in Vilano act as a protective buffer.

"I look at these houses and they're back far enough, and they seem to be protected enough, and they're the ones closest to the beach,” she said. “It's a nice location, whereas some of them, the houses are right on the beach, and they don't stand a chance."

At the south end of Ponte Vedra Beach last year, erosion threatened several houses, and St. Johns County declared a state of emergency, allowing homeowners to build sea walls. Now the sand is several feet higher and worries seem to be washed away.