JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. - As Hurricane Erin churned safely off the coast of Florida and the Eastern Seaboard, waves from the hurricane battered hundreds of sea turtle nests up and down the shoreline.

The Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol, based in Northeast Florida, said that within the small territory it monitors, at least 23 nests were inundated by saltwater out of the 29 nests currently being monitored.

The group also reported that some nests were either eroded or covered by shifting sand, further complicating incubation.

"Sea turtle nesting is a natural process influenced by many environmental factors beyond human control. While we deeply appreciate your support through our symbolic nest adoption program, we cannot guarantee the viability or survival of any individual nest. Outcomes may be

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