Florida's extensive 825-mile coastline has been repeatedly affected by hurricanes over the years and authorities predict that Hurricane Milton will do the same.
With Hurricane Milton heading towards Tampa and the Gulf Coast, adding to the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, authorities are cautioning about the significant coastal alterations are anticipated, according to a report by ABC News.
Kara Doran, a United States Geological Survey supervisory physical scientist who works on the coastal change forecast, said in a Monday post on the agency's website, "The significance of the coastal change forecast for Milton's impact to the Florida west coast cannot be overstated as I believe communities are more vulnerable to this storm's impacts due to the erosion that occurred recently from Helene."
According to Doran, Hurricane Helene caused overwash, inundation, and complete erosion of dunes along most of the state's west coast, resulting in reduced protection for coastal communities.
According to the USGS, Milton's waves and storm surge could lead to erosion and overwash affecting 100% of all ocean-facing beaches.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection noted that in recent years, hundreds of miles of the state's shoreline have been critically eroded or altered to the extent that it threatens or leads to the loss of upland development, recreational activities, wildlife habitat, or important cultural resources.
Before and after Hurricane Irma in Nov. 2017 on Ponte Verde Florida.
USGS
Hurricane Milton will join a long list of damaging storms that have altered Florida's shorelines along the panhandle, according to the USGS - including Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Irma (above), Hurricane Matthew, Hurricane Michael.
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As an example, large waves sparked by Hurricane Nicole in 2022 caused damage to over a dozen coastal structures in Flagler and Volusia Counties, causing a state road to collapse in some parts and completely flood in others.
The USGS pointed out that the coastal landscape undergoes significant changes due to intense storms that result in large waves or storm surges, leading to the erosion of the beach and dune system. Additionally, factors such as the rise in sea level, coastal development, and the creation of navigation channels and inlets have worsened the situation.
The Florida Climate Center reports that sea levels across the state are about 8 inches higher than they were in 1950, and the rate of sea level rise is rapidly accelerating.
According to the USGS, extensive erosion has resulted in hazards to shorelines that include densely populated regions, putting "critical infrastructure at risk to future flooding and erosion and may cause economic losses."