N. Topsail officials meet after storm causes damaging erosion

NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The North Topsail Beach Board of Alderman met Monday to discuss the continuing need for super-sized sand bags on the north end of the island, following a stormy night that forced officials to cut off power and water to 22 homes. Several homes were also evacuated in the area due to the erosion from the storm.

“This is worse than after any hurricanes,” Resident Fred Burns said. “I’ve been coming down here for 60 years and this is the worst I’ve ever seen it. ”

Burns says when he came to the area to check on one of his properties, he saw fire trucks, power and utility trucks shutting off their services. He says they are in an emergency situation and have been since August.

“Every house here could be saved, but I don’t know for how long. We’re going to have 4 more days of this. This is worse than after any hurricanes. I’ve been coming down here for 60 years and this is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” Burns said.

At a meeting at Town Hall, the town’s engineer recommended installing a geotube in front of several homes as a temporary fix while they spend three to six months working to install super-sized sand bags that were recently approved.

Burns says they only have a matter of time.

“Every house here could be saved, but I don’t know for how long,” Burns said. “We’re going to have 4 more days of this.”

Burns says he wants to see a terminal groin instead of the sand bags.

“Harry Brown got that pushed through congress and it’s legal now,” Burns said. “We need to put a groin out. That’s what we’re going to have to have. Sand bags will just walk back in.”

At the meeting the board committed 375,000 dollars to contractors to get the sand bag project started which could involve placing a Geotube in front of the homes to stop the erosion temporarily. The contractors told the town the earliest they can start is December 10th.