Were beaches from Miami to Palm Beach significantly affected by the hurricanes in 2004? I visited that area in April of 2004 and then again in May of 2005. In 2004, I was stunned by wide, smooth sandy beaches and beautiful waters of Miami beach, North Miami beach, Ft. Lauderdale beach and other beaches in between. Moreover, there was hardly any sea weed.

In 2005, the beaches were much narrower as the water was almost up to the sea wall. The shoreline appear rugged and there was tons of sea weed. I returned with a completely different experience.

I figured that must be due the hurricanes Florida suffered in Fall of 2004 as they must have eroded the beaches. Was that the case or was it just a temporary tidal change? How do the beaches look this year?

Was in northern part of the area late-February. Have been almost every year for 20 years as family is in area. Public beachs around Delray looked the same. Singer Island buidings showed significant hurricane damage, although many were open - one entire building was being torn down - but such building in the area that hurricane may have just been an excuse. Beach looked the same.

Palm Beach was a mess - there is some sort of major beach renovation (the actual beach, not all the condo building). My brother said it had something to do with the hurricane - they were reclaiming, re-sanding miles of beach. This involved heavy equipment and a huge partially buried pipe (several feet in diameter) running the length of the beach. Really ugly. At the water's edge at low tide there was this huge drop-off, sand to sand, of about 3 feet - can't imagine what that would have been like under water at higher tide.

No seaweed, but for 2 days "dangerous marine life" flag flying indicating man-o-war. My brother says that has been more common in recent year, but not sure if hurricane related.

Did not venture to beaches in Ft.L or Miami as were staying in Boca.

I was wondering if Jensen Beach is going through any of the renovations that Gail talks about. A friend just returned from Vanderbilt in Naples and said the same thing about pipes and such on the beach. We are going to Florida on the 19th of April and are spending some time on Hutchinson Island so I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

topping

Hutchinson Island was hit head-on by TWO hurricanes. We were there a few months after the second hurricane and could not believe the devastation.

I think I would check with a couple of the businesses and the place you're staying at to ascertain that the island is up to par again.

Any trees that were remaining were horizontal and pointing west! Our friend's condo had sand come in on the 12th floor. And, of course, there were blue tarps everywhere!

IMHO it was worse than what I saw at Punta Gorda.

OMG, really?! We are headed to Hutchinson Island in two weeks. I'd better call and just check some things out.

Hi, gzseattle, I lived thru Frances and Jeanne in 04 and Wilma in 05. Am north of Ft. Lauderdale (Jupiter) and usually walk to the beach every other day.
Your question is rather scientific and can't answer it. But, I know sea weed comes in at certain times every year. And it is unpredictable.

In early May, sea weed is not unusual and with that -sea lice - when the winds blow from the south. But, you may wake up the next day and all is gone and the ocean is just beautiful. Every day is different.

Erosion has been a big problem however, for many years all along the east coast and of course hurricanes did not help that.