DAYTONA BEACH (CBS4) — While Florida was spared the brunt of Hurricane Irene, the state still had some casualties in the form of protected sea turtle nests.

Rough waves from Hurricane Irene washed away many sea turtle nests along Florida’s central coast.

Volunteers surveyed the damage to the turtle nests Friday morning after 12-foot waves hit the shore overnight.

There were about 300 turtle nests in Volusia County before Irene passed the Florida coast about 200 miles offshore.

Sea turtles are among a group of animals that are protected by local governments along the central Florida coast.

Volusia County has prohibited driving on its beaches for the past two days because of Irene. But the ban is expected to be lifted on Saturday.

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