Hurricane Milton has wreaked havoc on cities along the west, central, and east coasts of Florida. Even though it has left the state, water levels are still rising in some areas.
The USGS expects “severe” levels of coastal changes that could threaten communities.
The Florida coastline will likely never look the same after Hurricane Milton swept through it, experts say.
Milton made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast the night before as a Category 3 storm. The storm spawned dozens of tornadoes, dumped heavy rain across much of the state, left millions without power, and killed at least 12 people, including five in St. Lucie County.
USGS experts also say all of Florida’s ocean-facing beaches will experience some degree of erosion and washout after Milton.
The publication explains that scouring occurs when water rises above dunes, pushing sand inland. This process can significantly change the shape of coastal areas, block roads and destroy protective dunes, making these areas more vulnerable to future hurricanes.