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Hurricane Erin, despite staying hundreds of miles out at sea, has caused unexpected and significant beach erosion along the Jersey Shore. Officials from various towns are assessing the damage as they prepare for the upcoming Labor Day weekend. The storm's powerful waves and sea surges have left some beaches with cliffs as high as eight feet and rendered a dozen beach access paths unusable. Crews are working to restore access.
In Strathmere, officials noted severe erosion, with the town's last beach replenishment project completed just last year. They are hopeful for additional funding before the scheduled 2027 replenishment. Upper Township Mayor Curtis Corson reported significant erosion, with some areas left without any beach at all. According to NJ.com, Corson stated, "There is no way to access and no way to guard" the eroded beach.
Avalon lost up to 40 feet of beach space, although the dune system remains intact. In contrast, Cape May experienced minimal erosion due to previous beach replenishment efforts. Bay Head and Atlantic City saw considerable sand loss, with Atlantic City's north-end beaches losing sand from a recent $40 million fill project.
Rip currents have also been a concern, prompting swimming bans in many areas. New Jersey State Climatologist Dave Robinson told NJ Spotlight News that the Atlantic remains turbulent, with high tides and rip currents expected to persist.
As beach towns continue to assess the damage, they are looking to the federal government for potential assistance. With the Labor Day weekend approaching, restoring beach access and ensuring safety remain top priorities.