MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — Significant beach erosion along the Grand Strand has raised concerns among experts, with recent king tides and a nor’easter exacerbating the situation.
Coastal Carolina University (CCU) professor Paul Gayes, who holds a Ph.D. in marine and wetland studies, emphasized the seriousness of the issue.
“Beach erosion is an enormous issue. It’s around the entire country,” Gayes said. “You’ve got a huge amount of the population, percentage-wise is at the coast. It’s a huge part of our economy and our way of life. And it is at risk because we have a rising sea level.”
READ MORE: Georgetown businesses struggle as Nor’easter floods historic district, causing damages
The erosion has led to the formation of wall-like structures along the beaches, posing a threat to existing infrastructure such as hotels and homes.
Gayes explained, “We have a very static infrastructure and economy that’s on that line. So every year seas a little higher. Storms are coming in, and you’re getting that whole, very critical resource that so much is dependent on getting squeezed between our society and the sea that’s coming.”
While renourishment efforts have been successful in the Grand Strand, Gayes cautioned that they are only a temporary solution. “We’re basically putting it out there as a sacrificial amount of sand. It moves around for a couple of years, and then we have to redo it,” he said. “The problem is that’s working fine for the Grand Strand, but it is not addressed. Sea level rise is not making this land surface any higher.”
READ MORE: 1 ‘traumatically injured’ by machinery at garden center, EMS says
Gayes urged for a comprehensive approach to address the issue, rather than relying on incremental emergency measures.
A beach renourishment project is set to begin in North Myrtle Beach in December.