The significance of sediment delivered via storm-associated stream discharge in altering sediment characteristics,
beach form, and volume is evaluated on pocket beaches with different basin characteristics and wave
exposures. The focus is on changes on three beaches on Elba Island, Italy caused by a flood event in September
2002 that had an estimated recurrence interval of 200 years. Beach profiles and foreshore sediment samples
were gathered in 1999 and 2000 to identify pre-stormcharacteristics, in September 2002 to reveal the immediate
effects of the storm, and in 2003 and 2004 to reveal post-storm recovery.