Ocean Isle Beach local working on erosion control project to protect beach front’s

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Beach erosion, a common problem for beaches across the world. For 23-year-old Ocean Isle Beach local Henry Cooke, it’s a problem he is looking to find solutions for.

His companies erosion control project began last year and things have only been going up from there.

“It started with our sand fences behind me, started with 600 feet of sand fence and now we’re moving in with American Beach Grass. We have planted so far within this week roughly 120,000 plants and that number is looking to go up to 250,000 by the time we’re done with this,” Cookie said.

With growth and development in Ocean Isle Beach, many new homes that are going up need to be protected.

Cooke’s grandparents began living in Ocean Isle Beach in the 1950’s. Many of his family worked on beach erosion during their lifetime, so it was only natural for him to follow suit. Cooke says erosion can cause major issues if not dealt with.

“With sand coming onto the main streets and flooding, flooding being a huge issue, especially on both ends. It could close down, even during the peek of summer if we had a storm like that, up to a month. Just flooding and everything like that, it’s really a hard hit.” Cooke explained.

Cooke and his team hope to have the project finished by early this summer.