Sand protects shoreline from King Tides in New Smyrna Beach

King tides and strong winds have washed away much of the sand that was recently added to New Smyrna Beach. But officials say the sand did its job and protected homes and businesses. Alexis Clevenger shows us what comes next for the coastline. The beach may look different now with steep erosion cliffs but county officials say sand recently placed along the shoreline just months ago did its job. The sand acted as a sacrificial buffer for our properties who either have seawalls or properties who are not permitted to have seawalls but it also protects your public infrastructure. The county used state grant money to add sand last summer helping protect beachfront properties. At Ocean Beach Club, Operations Manager Tracy Capps says the project made a difference. Our seawall after the hurricanes was completely exposed. There was no sand after the seawall we could completely see it. If this would have been here, it would have been way worse. She says the added sand helped provide a buffer. Because they did what they did, it saved our beach. County officials say some of that sand could move back toward the beach. If we are lucky, like we were this past hurricane season, and we get the storms from the west coast coming east, It should bring some of the sand back up, but the county has a long term plan 2027 when we have a new council, we will bring our state beach management plan before the council for consideration and adoption. Part of that solution will be a nourished beach. As a reminder, a nourished beach is five times as big as what you saw here. We hope to have votes at our county council in early 2027 in New Smyrna Beach. Alexis Clevenger Fox 35 news.