Nor’easter causes moderate to major beach erosion in Atlantic & Cape May counties
The powerful nor’easter, hitting just two months after Hurricane Erin, left beaches scoured, dunes cut in half and one of Jersey’s busiest summer destinations vulnerable to the next storm.
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Some of the worst damage from last week’s nor’easter can be seen along the South Jersey beaches. This is particularly true in Ocean City, where some dunes were completely washed away.
It took just two days to transform sections of the popular Ocean City beach into a spectacle.
The powerful nor’easter, hitting just two months after Hurricane Erin, left beaches scoured, dunes cut in half and one of Jersey’s busiest summer destinations vulnerable to the next storm.
Renee Arciere stopped by with her family to search for shells.
“This is probably the worst I’ve seen since I’ve been down here,” she said. “They definitely need a lot of help down here to get it cleaned up, get it fixed up for the residents and summer people who come and enjoy it.”
According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, some of the worst damage can be found in Ocean City between 5th and 6th avenues, where the dune system was wiped out. The high-water mark now comes underneath the boardwalk at times of high tide. What’s left of the dunes has now been turned into seven-foot-high cliffs.
“Typically, it just gets to the dunes, and it’s the first time I’ve seen it erode the dunes,” said long-time Manco & Manco Pizza store manager Chris Mazzitelli. “I’m worried, to be honest with you. We rely on these beaches to support us and if they’re not there, a lot of people will be in trouble. Definitely, please help us.”
A city spokesperson says they’re working with Rep. Jeff Van Drew to secure federal funding for another round of replenishment. In the meantime, plans are already in place to truck in sand on their own.
