Florida officials fear that hurricanes washed away hundreds of turtle nests along the Gulf Coast

A lifeguard hut rests on its side after Hurricane Milton, October 11, at Clearwater Beach, Florida. Experts say hurricanes this year washed out many of the turtle nests along Florida’s Gulf Coast - (AP)

Sea turtle nests increased this year along a stretch of Florida's Gulf Coast before a trio of hurricanes washed many of them away, aquarium officials said Friday.

There were 271 nests documented by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium this year along a 21-mile stretch of beach that their teams patrol during nesting season. That compares with 227 nests in 2023.