After Gustav I noticed that the beach was shrinking, I think the slight illusion of sand covering a few steps is misleading. The Gulf is reclaiming the beach very quickly and it wouldn't surprise me if some houses are in big trouble from the erosion.
Around noon today, there was talk of closing down Mid-Bay bridge which runs between Niceville and Destin. Niceville traffic was at a stand still all morning, and will continue, due to the the 98 closure on Okaloosa Island. Surf around here is pretty large and everyone seems to be watching it. Surf was washing under Pompano Joe's, in Miramar. Didn't see one surfer trying to ride the 10 ft waves, and I don't blame them one bit. It looks hazardous to one's health.
Around noon today, there was talk of closing down Mid-Bay bridge which runs between Niceville and Destin.
There was a boat that took on water and sunk under the highest span. They did close the bridge, but I think it was only during the rescue operation. Is that what you were talking about or for another reason?
I didn't hear of the cause, and after hearing that 98 had closed earlier in the morning, my guess was that possible potential for closure was storm related. The winds on the Bay were not strong enough to justify a closing, but I was inside for a while, so I didn't know. Water level in the Bay is probably 2-3 ft higher than norm, and the Full Moon is nearing, so it will pull even higher. As of late this afternoon, 331 is open with only mild wind out of the east (around the Bay). Winds along the Gulf increased substantially this afternoon. Water level is high. I'm not sure if worse weather is expected, or if it has passed.
Dude, you really need to wax your rig.here are some cell phone pics of 98 between destin and fwb this morning before westbound was closed. sorry for the quality, I was driving. the east bound lane was was completely submerged.