Hurricane Erin Causes Severe Beach Erosion in Strathmere, NJ

Impact of Hurricane Erin on Strathmere Beaches

• 🌀 Although Hurricane Erin did not make landfall, its large size caused significant coastal erosion along the Jersey Shore.
• 📍 The South Jersey community of Strathmere, located on a barrier island off Cape May County, was one of the hardest-hit areas.
• 🏖️ In some spots, the beach has nearly vanished, with a drop-off of 6 to 8 feet creating a cliff where paths once existed.

Efforts to Restore Beach Access

• 🛠️ Equipment is being used to move sand back to the beach paths, especially at low tide, to recreate entrances for visitors.
• 🚧 Officials are working to open as many beach access points as possible for the upcoming Labor Day weekend, aiming for near 100% accessibility.
• 🚜 Sand is being scraped from the beach and pushed to pathway entrances, and grading is being performed to create safe slopes.

Safety Concerns and Future Outlook

• ⚠️ Officials are concerned about keeping people away from the newly formed cliffs, as standing too close to the edge or playing at the bottom can lead to dangerous collapses.
• 🚨 The hazardous situation poses a risk of people being buried by collapsing sand, making rescue difficult and potentially fatal.
• 🌊 Local officials are in communication with the state D, which is assessing shore points along the entire coast to address ongoing erosion issues.