CHERRY GROVE, SC (WMBF) - Recent storms, king tides and coastal flooding have carved dramatic erosion formations along Cherry Grove’s coastline, creating towering cliff-like walls of sand that now sit dangerously close to condos, homes and businesses.
Video from the area shows people on the beach standing next to the massive erosion formations, with some sections of the eroded wall rising taller than the people nearby. The dramatic landscape changes have left many residents concerned about how close high tide is getting to their properties.
“There needs to be maybe a little bit more protection when these storms come in,” said Cherry Grove homeowner Becky Allen. “Luckily, we are protected by the dunes, but as you can see, they have gotten really close to the dunes, so it is a concern.”
The erosion concerns come amid a backdrop of water-related home collapses that have occurred in North Carolina over the past month following storms Humberto and Imelda, adding to local anxiety about coastal property safety.
Kenneth Wood, who was visiting Cherry Grove, said he has never witnessed water pushed back this far into the area. Wood, who lives in nearby Little River, has been walking his dog in the area for years.
“I know when they get enough rain, this whole area goes underwater, and they’ll close the roads where residents can’t even get into their own homes,” Wood said. “I’m not in Cherry Grove, I’m in Little River, so I don’t think I’ll have that problem, but yeah, as you can see, the erosion got pretty close. I come out here to walk my dog at night, and I’ve never seen it this high.”
Wood added that while the high tides are worrisome, he recognizes that things could be much worse.
“I do have concerns about the tide getting too high, but I feel fortunate that we’ve just missed two storms that were about to hit us, took turns, and went back out to sea,” Wood said.
Relief may be coming in the form of a beach renourishment project scheduled to begin in North Myrtle Beach in December.
The project aims to bring more sand back to beaches across the Grand Strand.
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