Mortar Found on Fort Pierce Beach Prompts Pepper Park Evacuation; Coastline’s WWII Live-Ordnance History Brought Back to Light
- T Michele Walker
- Jan 4
- 2 min read
A diver stumbled on a mortar that had washed up at Pepper Park Beach in St. Lucie County on Saturday afternoon, resulting in an evacuation of the beach.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office arrived at 3302 N. Highway A1A around 3:30 p.m. after the diver called it in. Deputies cleared everyone from the beach, pushing people back at least 300 yards in all directions—no chances taken when you’re dealing with old explosives. The Bomb Disposal Team was already on the way.
Authorities told the public to stay away while they checked out the device. Nobody wants curious beachgoers anywhere near possible WWII-era ordnance.
If you’re wondering why this stuff keeps turning up here, it’s all tied to the area’s history. Back in WWII, Fort Pierce and the stretch up to Vero Beach were a hotbed of military training. The Fort Pierce base trained soldiers for the Normandy landings, and they ran live-fire drills with mortars and rockets, right on these beaches. Underwater Demolition Teams practiced blowing obstacles and fortifications apart, and both the Army and Navy tested everything from bombs to small arms in the sand and surf. In the ’60s, they even closed off a section called the Pines to dig out leftover shells.
Decades later, waves and storms still uncover old munitions buried in the sand or seabed. When someone finds one, the Sheriff’s Office and Navy EOD sweep in to handle it safely. They know the drill.
Officials promised more updates as they sort out the situation. For now, the message is simple: steer clear and let the bomb squad do their work.