PRESS RELEASE
October 11, 2019
Contact: Connie Conway
(631) 702-1743
Crews worked through the night and into the early morning hours to restore a 750 foot long section of dune washed away along the eastern portion of Dune Road in Hampton Bays. A coastal storm battered the barrier island and caused severe erosion during high tide, Thursday, in an area opposite the Shinnecock Commercial Fishing Dock.
Supervisor Jay Schneiderman issued a local State of Emergency yesterday, in advance of the imminent breach in order to bring in the Suffolk County Department of Public Works heavy equipment to stand ready to shore up the dune.
They showed up in force and moved 120 truckloads of materials to create the 12 foot high berm. It was a multi-agency joint effort. The Governor’s office dispatched State Dot crews who were on site by 9pm to assist. The Southampton Town Police Department sealed off the roads by late afternoon. As a precaution, PSEG Long Island turned off the electricity to that section of Dune Road that includes the Commercial fishing dock and three restaurants. The Town Trustees and Bay Constables also participated as did the State DEC, County Parks and County Fire and Rescue Services (FRES) and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM).
“This would have been a major breach significant damage had it not been for the emergency efforts of all involved,” said Supervisor Schneiderman. “The crews worked all night literally holding back the tide.”
Crews continue to work in preparation for this evening’s high tide.
