Tropical Storm Fay has not caused much havoc in Southeast Volusia except on the beach in New Smyrna Beach where winds gusting between 35 and 45 mph have caused severe erosion. At least 25 percent of Volusia County's multi-million beach replenishment sand is lost, according to officials. What had taken months to pump in, Fay has taken away in 48 hours. And the worst is yet to come Thursday as Fay crosses inland in a northwesterly direction just north of here and toward the Florida Panhandle.
We tried to shoot video on the beach near the Flagler Avenue approach, but the audio was drowned out by the strong winds and the tiny lens on our camera couldn't handle the rain bands.
What was astounding was the number of people who drove to the beach, many armed with video cameras.
One couple brought their baby and a man brought his dog, though he didn't bring it onto the beach itself since pets aren't allowed.
A few people actually jumped into the surf while the Orlando television crews went about their business reporting on the storm and the beach erosion.
A 2-foot-high chuck of beach was wiped clean because of Fay, undermining the replenishment work that had been done throughout the spring and summer.
There's probably one more hurdle for the beach to overcome before Fay moves away and that's high tide about 11 a.m. Thursday.