Impact of storm beach damage at South Shore Beach still unclear

Attachments

Both recent Hurricanes Jose and Maria, though well out to sea, produced pounding waves that rearranged the terrain at South Shore Beach, and, as shown here. ripped away sections of the beach parking lot.

Heavy equipment was rolled out in February, 2012 to make after-storm repairs to South Shore beach.

LITTLE COMPTON — Official estimates of damage done by recent storms Jose and Maria to Little Compton's South Shore Beach have yet to be made. However, Town Council President Robert Mushen, from out-of-town while traveling, said "the beach condition now is approximately what it typically is in the spring."

Mr. Mushen referred queries to the beach commission, whose chairman. Bill Ryan, could not be reached despite several calls.

Hurricane Irene in August 2011 caused $69,650 in damage, while Hurricane Sandy the year following required $45,055 in repairs.

Repair work following those storms put workers and equipment on the beach in early spring and again in May in a rush to fix the beach prior to Memorial Day weekend.

Those repairs were funded 75 percent by FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency).

In normal years, said Pat Griffin, former beach commission chairman — and speaking to the issue several years ago — beach repairs cost under $5,000 for materials and under $5,000 for actual labor, he said.