Beaches And Shores Post Storm Report PDF Download

The eye of Hurricane Sally made landfall Sept. 16, 2020, near Gulf Shores, Alabama, immediately west of the Alabama/Florida state line. At landfall, Sally was a strong Category 2 hurricane on the SaffirSimpson hurricane intensity scale, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph and a minimum central pressure of 965 mb (28.50 inches). Hurricane Sally was the first hurricane to effect Pensacola, in west Florida, since hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Dennis (2005). Given that Sally’s strongest winds, waves and storm surge were on the hurricane’s east side, Florida’s northwest coast was substantially affected. Beach erosion and coastal damage was the greatest along Escambia County, while Santa Rosa County eastward through Gulf County received the fringe effect of the hurricane. This report documents the post-storm beach conditions and coastal impact of Hurricane Sally in northwest Florida. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) developed this post-storm beach conditions and damage assessment report to quantify the damages caused by Hurricane Sally. This report provides an assessment of storm impact, beach and dune erosion and structural damages to the northwest coastal regions of Florida fronting the Gulf of Mexico. Although structural damage occurred inland, the damage assessment in this report specifically focuses on damage within the coastal building zone as defined in Chapter 161, Florida Statutes.