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Because of their location along the Atlantic Ocean and <br />Intracoastal Waterway, the City of Vero Beach, Town of Indian <br />River Shores, Town of Orchid, the City of Sebastian, and <br />unincorporated County are more apt to experience beach <br />erosion associated with wave or current action. <br />Extent. DEP has identified Indian River County as a medium- <br />high risk to erosion. The beaches of Florida will continue to <br />shift and change over time, especially when faced with the <br />current levels of development. This is especially a high <br />probability hazard, especially in conjunction with hurricanes, <br />winter storms, and coastal flooding. <br />Probability. Nearly 495 miles of Florida's beaches, <br />approximately 60 percent, are currently experiencing erosion. <br />Erosion can have significant economic impacts on the state <br />due to property damages, loss of beachfront property, and <br />effects to tourism. Florida's rivers also routinely experience <br />erosion. This is a high probability hazard for Florida, including <br />Indian River County, and is constantly being monitored by <br />local, state, and federal entities. <br />Vulnerability Assessment. Erosion can have the following <br />potential impacts within a community: <br />• Soil/beach erosion; <br />• Navigable waterway impairment; <br />• Economic disruption; <br />• Damage to critical environmental resources; and <br />• Stormwater drainage impairment. <br />Indian River County's vulnerability to soil collapse and beach <br />erosion is moderate to high along its beachfront coastline. The <br />County has broken the beaches down into 8 management <br />sectors based on their surrounding environmental conditions <br />and erosion rates. Sectors 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 have a significant <br />beach erosion problem, as indicated by FDEP's deceleration of <br />critically eroded shoreline. Hurricanes Matthew and Irma <br />caused significant damages to the beaches resulting in FEMA <br />damage reports and consequently FEMA funding assistance to <br />restore those beach areas. The City of Vero Beach is located <br />within Sector 5 and is one community that reported damaged <br />property due to these storms. The Sector 4 area which <br />includes the Town of Indian River Shores has low to moderate <br />Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 49 <br />