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Pac-Man Storm Eats Away Half-Mile of Atlantic City Beach
28 Sep
Summary
- Nor'easter caused severe beach erosion, worst since Hurricane Sandy.
- Half of the dunes were washed away in a specific hard-hit area.
- Despite erosion, the boardwalk remains undamaged and beaches are accessible.
Atlantic City experienced its most significant beach erosion since Hurricane Sandy over the recent weekend due to a powerful nor'easter. A stretch of beach, approximately a half-mile long north of Steel Pier, bore the brunt of the storm's fury. This event carved deeply into the dunes, exposing previously buried structures and creating steep drop-offs along the shoreline.
Longtime Deputy Chief of Atlantic City Beach Patrol, Dave Russo, described the storm's impact as a 'beach eater,' likening its destructive path to a Pac-Man game. He noted that about half of the dunes in the affected area have vanished. While the city's public works department plans to address the steep cliffs for safer access, Russo assured that the boardwalk sustained no damage and ample beach remains available for visitors.
Residents and visitors alike observed the striking changes, with some, like Melita Richardson, tracking the erosion daily. Howard Barenfeld, visiting from New York, expressed amazement at watching the shoreline recede hour by hour. Officials anticipate further erosion as colder winter months approach, noting that beach replenishment efforts were already planned prior to this storm.
