Sea level rise and the escalation of intense storms has increased the occurrence of coastal flooding and erosion in recent decades. Engineers, community planners, and military base commanding officers around the world are seeking creative solutions to mitigate the damage done by these processes to nearshore structures and naval bases. One such solution is mangrove forests, which are known to reduce wave heights and, subsequently, their effects, including wave loading and wave-driven erosion. However, their effect on sediment transport and potential for erosion control, particularly during short-term, extreme wave conditions, has not been well quantified. This research analyzed sediment erosion and accretion in a Rhizophora mangrove forest model during simulated storm conditions, using a 1:8-scale physical model. Mangrove roots changed the sediment transport patterns compared to the baseline case. This study provides data necessary for communities to develop and implement nature-based solutions such as mangrove forests to mitigate coastal flood hazards.