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Introduction <br /> �..- The eye of Hurricane Sandy passed approximately 200 miles east of Indian River County <br /> on October 26, 2012, with maximum sustained winds of approximately 40 mph and <br /> maximum recorded gusts of up to 50 mph producing over 10 foot breaking waves along <br /> the coast and 20 to 30 feet waves offshore. This preliminary beach damage report is <br /> based on pre and post storm field surveys performed October 25,2012 thru November 6, <br /> 2012 by James Gray of the Indian River County Coastal Engineering Division. This <br /> report is based on visual inspection only—no topographic surveys were used to determine <br /> erosion estimates. Some general comments on the County beaches as a whole are <br /> provided, followed by a segment by segment review of beach conditions and damage <br /> observed. Segments are divided based of FDEP Reference Monuments (R-1 —R-119). <br /> General Comments <br /> In most beach segments, the erosion was consistent with what the Florida Department of <br /> Environmental Protection(FDEP) defines as: "Condition III: Moderate Dune Erosion and <br /> Beach Profile Lowering"; less than 10 feet of dune recession and three to ten feet vertical <br /> escarpments. However,the damage throughout the recently completed Sector 3 Beach <br /> and Dune restoration project area experienced FDEP "Condition IV: Major Dune <br /> Erosion"; dune recession greater than 10 feet. FDEP beach condition descriptions can be <br /> seen in Appendix A. It is estimated that storm losses as a result of Hurricane Sandy in <br /> the Sector 3 project area were 350,000 cubic yards of sand or$7.4 million. It is <br /> important to note that the Sector 3 Project preformed as designed by providing storm <br /> protection benefits to public and private infrastructure. The Sector 3 Project Area is <br /> located between FDEP Reference Monuments R-20—R-55. <br /> Significant beach erosion and damage to the three pedestrian crosswalks and a lifeguard <br /> tower in the County owned Tracking Station Beach Park was also observed, total repair <br /> and beach sand replacement costs are estimated to be$75,000. <br /> Some natural recovery of the beach is to be expected in the coming months, and profile <br /> surveys will be required to refine the estimates of damage,but the economic loss due to <br /> the countywide coastal erosion, is estimated at 12 million dollars. <br /> 10-20-12 10-26-12 <br /> Photos taken by the Sebastian Inlet District Web Cam <br /> 21 r <br /> 75 <br />