SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Tuesday's storm packed a punch in Southampton, city officials said.
“We've been hit really hard again by this storm,” said Ryan Murphy, Southampton Town's manager of public safety and emergency management.
“Unfortunately, we have suffered significant storm damage due to the frequent storms occurring at a rate that does not allow the beach to naturally regenerate in any way,” he said.
According to Murphy's observation, Tuesday night's storm appeared to be somewhat of a mix of the December 2022 and December 2023 storms. south coast that was similar to the December 23, 2022 storm, in my estimation,” he said.
The storm, he said, “once again significantly eroded the dune area on the west side of Shinnecock Inlet near the commercial dock.
“The county has been trying to fortify this area since the December storm, and it appears that much of that work — along with all the dredging that was done prior to that — was quickly undone by this storm system and the 15- to 20-foot waves. feet on the beach.”
Dune Road, he said, also experienced significant flooding, and there are also indicators of several overflow points, where the ocean overtopped the dune structure.
Wednesday's second high tide, around 6:42 p.m., he said, “it may still be a little rough because of the storm and residual winds, but the tide should be about a foot lower and the winds will be again a little more favorable. I think we've had the most worrying time – but the storm packed a punch.'
Murphy added that city officials are still assessing all areas to get a more accurate estimate of the type of damage sustained.
