North Topsail Beach experiences dune erosion after heavy rain

NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, NC (WWAY) — After Tropical Storm Debby and Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 moved over the area, the dunes along North Topsail Beach have been slowly receding, even taking some beach access stairs along with it. 

Thomas Dorsey is a frequent fisher on the beach. He said the king tide that will last until Tuesday is only making matters worse. 

“Seems to get hit on hurricane or rainstorm. Right at the moment when you see a picture of the dunes, the last heavy rainstorm we got, it took half the dune,” Dorsey said. 

Mayor Pro Tem Mike Benson noted the town was included an emergency declaration for Potential Tropical Cyclone 8, which could bring federal funding to assist with potential beach renourishment. 

“So our town has been included in the governor’s state of emergency for disaster relief. So we are eligible for FEMA help to help restore the dunes and beach in town,” Benson said.