The Town of Southampton has declared an emergency as it scrambles to repair a dune overwash.

The town says it now has a contract to restore a 500-foot section of Dune Road that overwashed into the bay because of recent storms and high tides. Currently, the road is closed west of the Ponquogue Bridge until further notice.

The issue was noticed Monday when a nor'easter hit the area.

Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman says that declaring a state of emergency allows the town to speed up the process of moving sand to rebuild the berm. He also says the measures were taken to protect Dune Road and the community.