Paula said:
I just called the guests staying at our cottages to remind them to (1) stay out of the ocean even after the storm until the flags say it's safe and then go to a beach with a lifeguard; (2) fill their tank with gas; (3) get the candles and flashlights in the cottage ready in case they needed them; and (4) if they had to leave early -- e.g., no electricity for a long time, I'd be sure they'd not lose $. I also told them I expect that all will be fine, but it's just good to be prepared.
One guest said the surge is quite high right now and not much beach. Is that what it looks like to others who are there? Let's hope the surge just brings in some great shells and lots more white sand...
That about sums it up. Have a few pics from One Seagrove Place, Montgomery St (both in Seagrove), Seaside and Blue Mtn Beach.
A small hint of the old Cypress swamp is beginning to show at OSP. At all locations above, this afternoon, water was occasionally reaching the new sand deposits. Signs of water splashing up 4 ft high onto the newly placed sand up and down the beaches. Blue Mtn Bch has probably lost about 3 linear feet of newly placed sand. Plenty of debris in the water and scattered on the edge of the dunes -- mostly chairs, tents and toys, except for BMB where the debris is construction debris from the seawalls. Plenty of pilings, boards with nails, small chunks of concrete down there in BMB. Water has splashed up a few feet onto the new sand. Some minor erosion at the edge of the newly placed sand. Cops in BMB on the beach writing tickets to the people crazy enough to be in the water. Rip currents look very strong. Too much debris in the water for surfing today at BMB (see Bobby's post under surfing). Not really much to report. A few people playing on the piece of beach exposed, plenty more riding bicycles and walking on the bike path along 30A, just smiling and going with the flow.
The sky is gorgeous as is the water. The water is a New England gray, the sky has peeks of brilliant blue peeking through a sky filled with puffs of charcoal gray and powder white clouds. Beautiful! A 2 minute shower of light rain hit us this afternoon. Sun is currently shining and a light breeze in the air. I think sunset today will be beautiful! Maybe later, I will sort through my photos of today and select a handful to post.
DonnaInTX, your sand looks like it is holding well. I am concerned with the Public Access adjacent to and on the west of your property. It is noticeable that wave action was lightly forced into the gap missing the newly placed sand. I truly think that you and the neighbor on your west may see erosion from the sides of your yards if we have a storm of any size enter the Gulf.
Water is closed, guys! I am writing you a ticket.
