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As Hurricane Erin churns off the coast, curious beachgoers made their way to Overlook Beach to see firsthand how the storm is affecting the shoreline.
“I came to see if the beach is still here and how the sand is doing,” said Kathy Wolf, of Deer Park.
Wolf has been visiting Overlook Beach for more than 70 years.
“It was really bad. The water came up and we barely had any beach left,” she recalled of previous storm seasons.
The South Shore has suffered from severe erosion for years, with visible differences between 2014 and 2023. But this year, the beach looks better than ever, thanks in part to extensive restoration efforts.
In the past year alone, the Town of Babylon has pumped roughly 100,000 tons of sand onto Overlook Beach in an effort to restore and protect the coastline. It is part of a $1.6 million investment.
“The tide was coming within 50 feet of this pavilion over here,” explained Brian Zitani, Waterways Management supervisor for the town.
In preparation for Hurricane Erin, the town has been proactive. Equipment, including lifeguard stands, is being relocated to prevent it from being swept into the ocean. Sand has also been added to vulnerable areas like parkway underpasses.
“The offshore storm is going to kick up serious wave activity, and we just spent a lot of money to have sand put on,” said Zitani.
Thousands have enjoyed the newly restored beach this summer. Now, all eyes are on the approaching storm to see whether the hard work will hold up.
