Canaveral National Seashore - National Park Service - Titusville, Florida - Hurricane Damage in 2004
Canaveral National Seashore - Titusville Florida
Headquarters: 212 S. Washington Ave., Titusville, FL 32796 -- (321) 267-1110
Information Center: 7611 South Atlantic Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169 -- (386) 428-3384


Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne - 2004

Excerpts from the Hurricane Frances RM damage assessment. Jeanne did a lot more damage to the beach. Photos are from the South District of the park from Jeanne.

Generally speaking, the three photos were all taken from boardwalk 8 in the South District (Playalinda) facing south. The first is before any of the hurricanes. The second, after Frances shows some sand deposition on the dune vegetation. The third is after Jeanne. There is some dune erosion and washover evidence visible.

Boardwalk #8 before 2004 hurricanes.
Before hurricanes

Boardwalk #8 after hurricane Frances.
After Frances

Boardwalk #8 after hurricane Jeanne.
After Jeanne
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Generally, 3 to 4 feet of loose sand was removed from the beach face. No major washovers were seen, but a layer of sand was blown onto the backside of the dune by heavy winds.

The dune proper appeared to sustain minor erosion. Measurements were taken at the dune monitoring transects along the north boundary of the park and compared to those last recorded in 2002. Changes may or may not reflect effects of Hurricane Frances. Overall, dune erosion is approximately 0.5ft at Sites 2 and 5, 1ft at Site 6 and 1.8ft at Site 3. The back stake at Site 1 could not be located, so no measurement was recorded.

Approximately 1/2 mile of dune fencing was destroyed or damaged. The existing fence worked well, capturing loose sand and reducing erosion and dune loss. To prevent visitors from further damaging the fragile dune ecosystem, fencing will need to be replaced and dune vegetation replenished.

Beach Road
Beach Road: Playalinda between boardwalk 8 and 9. Sand was about 2 feet deep on roadway.

Loop
Loop: Loop at the end of the beach road. Also at Playalinda.

Parking lot
SD1: One of the parking lots at Playalinda.

Car washed up on beach.
Grid 17-car: This washed up after Jeanne.


Photos and information provided by:
Candace Carter, Resource Management
Biological Science Technician



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Canaveral National Seashore - Titusville Florida

Canaveral National Seashore - National Park Service