Sand buffer washes away, leaving New Smyrna Beach properties vulnerable

Volusia County’s coastal director says the sand recently washing away from parts of the coastline was never intended to be a permanent solution following significant erosion during the 2022 hurricane season.The update comes after another round of unusually high tides left some New Smyrna Beach residents concerned about whether their properties are still protected.Since September, newly placed sand has gradually washed away during repeated high-tide events, raising concerns about erosion and the protection of beachfront properties.Volusia County Coastal Director Jessica Fentress says the sand was always intended to be a temporary, sacrificial buffer — not a long-term beach nourishment project.“We knew that sand was sacrificial. We did not design a beach nourishment plan to last through five years of nor’easters. We just put a Band-Aid on a problem,” Fentress said.Fentress said the county lost 6.6 million cubic yards of sand during the 2022 hurricane season.“It was the most devastating e