Town of Carolina Beach reacts to recent beach erosion

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Carolina Beach residents and visitors are noticing a cliff-like drop off in the sand that wasn’t there just days ago.

Recent storms have taken their toll on Carolina Beach, washing out more than just a potentially profitable weekend. Carolina Beach Assistant Town Manager Ed Parvin says the beach itself has suffered damage.

“It goes basically around our downtown all the way going north through Freeman Park, which is really the area where we normally see the scarps come in after storms,” Parvin said.

Assistant Town Manager Ed Parvin says this type of erosion is not uncommon. It’s known as a sand ledge or an escarpment.

“It’s very typical on Carolina Beach or any beach in the area that has a beach nourishment project, they’ll see escarpments form after storm events,” he said.

Parvin says they have a plan to address it, making it safer and easier for people to use the beach.

“We’ll work with our Public Works Department, we’ll work with the State CAMA Office, Coastal Area Management Act, Division of Coastal Management,” Parvin said. “They’ll work with them to make sure we have the permitting in place and then they’ll go out and knock it down, probably with a backhoe.”

So what does this mean for Freeman Park, which is already partially closed for previous erosion? Parvin says it comes down to regulations and safety.

“We’re hoping there’s not going to be any impacts,” he said. “It’s really up to Mother Nature whether we have to close it or whether we can open it up more.”

There is no specific timeline for when the work will begin. Parvin says the town needs to secure the proper permits first.