FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — We’ve all seen the dramatic images of homes collapsing into the ocean along North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

The City of Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County leaders are racing to prevent that scenario on Hutchinson Island, where severe beach erosion is creeping dangerously close to homes and businesses.

Truckloads of emergency sand were dumped by the jetties throughout the day Tuesday as officials work to stabilize the shoreline. But for some homeowners, the ocean is already closer than they’ve ever seen it.

See also: Fort Pierce officials say city is in state of emergency; beach erosion threatening homes

It’s not even high tide yet but the water is inching closer and closer to Ed Hyer’s home.

Hyer has lived along the beach on Hutchinson Island for years. He says the change has been dramatic.

“Last year, there was probably 100 feet of beach,” Hyer said.

Now, he says there’s less than 30 feet separating his home from the water.

Crashing waves over the past several weeks have eaten away at the shoreline, raising concerns about flooding and structural damage. Hyer recently cut off part of his back deck and tied it up with ropes to keep it from falling into the ocean.

Crews have already dumped about 15,000 tons of sand near the Fort Pierce Inlet jetties in an effort to rebuild part of the beach. Over the weekend, a concrete barrier was installed behind Hyer’s home and his neighbor’s property, but that barrier is already buried by shifting sand and surf.

City and county commissioners say the erosion worsened after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not replenish the sand last year.

Next door, homeowner Steve Tarr said his family isn’t taking any chances.

“My wife is already packing to head out of here,” Tarr said. “I’ll probably go down with the ship.”

Local leaders say the emergency measures are meant to buy time until a larger beach renourishment project can begin in March.

“They’re trying to do everything they can,” Hyer said.

CBS12 News Reporter Antoinette DelBel asked whether the response is moving fast enough.

Hyer said, “Fast enough? Yes. This is a major problem. How do you engineer this? How do you do it? There’s no way of fighting with the sea.”

More sand is expected to be trucked in over the next few weeks as officials work toward a longer-term solution.

For now, homeowners along Hutchinson Island are watching the tides and hoping the shoreline holds.