WWII Munitions Surface on Treasure Coast Beaches: What You Need to Know

In recent months, several beaches along the Treasure Coast, including parts of Vero Beach and nearby areas have been temporarily closed due to a surprising and concerning reason: live munitions washing ashore.

These discoveries aren't just isolated incidents. From rusted grenades to fully intact World War II-era bombs, beachgoers and cleanup crews have reported a rise in these unexpected and dangerous finds. But why is this happening now?

The History Beneath the Sand

Much of Florida's coastline, especially the Treasure Coast, was used as a military training ground during World War II. What many don't realize is that our beaches played a crucial role in preparing for one of history's most important operations: the invasion of Normandy.

The beach was used as training for the NDCU (Naval Combat Demolition Units), then the UDT (Underwater Demolition Teams) during WWII, the forerunners of today's Navy SEALS. The training was specifically designed to prepare these elite units for the D-Day landings at Normandy. To simulate the concrete obstacles they would face on the French beaches, anti-landing craft concrete structures were placed off our shores, and NDCU members were tasked with destroying them using live explosives.

The scale of this operation was massive. The island on the south side of the Fort Pierce Inlet served as a huge U.S. Navy base where tens of thousands of sailors trained for WWII. The Atlantic waters offshore became a bombing range and naval training ground, with various types of ordnance dropped or lost at sea during these intensive exercises.

Over the decades, some of these training devices became buried in sand or settled on the ocean floor. Now, storms, hurricanes, shifting tides, and ongoing erosion are unearthing what was once hidden. As the shoreline changes and sandbars shift, these long-lost explosives occasionally resurface, posing a real threat to public safety.

Previous Discovery Efforts

This isn't the first time authorities have dealt with wartime remnants along our coast. Around 1999, there was a major cleanup effort by the military using an amphibious DUKW vehicle that removed many concrete structures from offshore. These were brought ashore and some still remain visible today at Round Island Park on the oceanside.

During that cleanup operation, significant discoveries were made:

Two 500-pound bombs were found and safely destroyed by Navy demolition experts from the base in Mayport
Fifty anti-tank mines were discovered and disarmed in another incident
A live "long tom" missile was uncovered when an excavator was digging a waterfront lot for a new home foundation

These past discoveries suggest that there is probably much more ordnance still buried and yet to be discovered along our coastline alongside the silver and gold from the Spanish treasure fleet that famously sank offshore of Vero Beach.

What Happens When They're Found?

When a munition is spotted today, local authorities, often with assistance from the U.S. Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, respond quickly. The beach is closed, an investigation begins, and depending on the condition and danger of the device, it is either removed safely or detonated in a controlled explosion on-site.

These closures are necessary to protect the public, but they've also created disruptions for beachgoers and local businesses who rely on consistent access to the shore.

What You Should Know

Safety Guidelines:

Do not touch or move any suspicious object on the beach, even if it looks old or harmless
Call 911 immediately if you spot anything that could be a munition or explosive
Follow all posted signs and closures from local officials, they are issued for your protection
Stay up to date by following Indian River County emergency updates or local news

For Event Planners: If you're organizing coastal events or beach activities, stay informed about potential closures and coordinate with local emergency management when planning outdoor events near the water. These discoveries can happen unexpectedly and may require immediate area evacuations.

Looking Ahead

As beach erosion continues and development increases along our waterfront, the potential for future discoveries remains high. Officials are working to survey high-risk areas and may take additional steps to identify other buried items before they surface unexpectedly. In the meantime, public awareness and caution are essential.

While the sight of a WWII bomb might be startling, it's also a powerful reminder of our region's significant role in American military history and the brave men who trained on these very beaches before heading to the battlefields of Europe. Most importantly, it underscores the ongoing need to keep our community safe and informed.

Information for this article was provided by Peter R. Tyson

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Ava Cook

Community Manager at Vero Vine

Hello!
My name is Ava Cook and I am a Freshman at Florida Southern College in Lakeland FL. I am currently a B.F.A musical theatre major with a minor in Business Administration. I love reading, singing, acting, dancing, and writing. My favorite part about Vero Beach and Indian River County as a whole is how close the community is. Vero Vine is important to me as it allows me to do my part it bringing the community together also, sharing events, small businesses, and other local happenings. If you have any questions or any recommendations for me, my email is always open [email protected].