Beach erosion at Breach Inlet is becoming an increasingly urgent issue for residents of Isle of Palms, with many voicing concerns over the growing threat to homes and infrastructure. The rapid erosion is leaving properties extremely vulnerable to flooding caused by high tides and storm surges, prompting residents to seek solutions from city officials.
Tara Martin, a Coastal Geologist with Coastal Protection Engineering, stressed the urgency of addressing the issue: “They do need to act now because all of these things take time.”
Accelerated Erosion Between 2019 and 2024
Between 2019 and 2024, the southern shoreline of Breach Inlet experienced significant erosion. The high-water line has retreated between 40 and 70 meters, causing the complete loss of the frontal dune system. This has left homes and infrastructure exposed to direct storm damage, heightening concerns about future flooding.
Challenges Faced by Homeowners
Local residents have had to take immediate measures, such as installing sandbags, but even these temporary solutions are being torn up by storms. “One storm could come in here and really have an impact on these properties right along the coastline,” Martin noted. Cindi Soloman, a member of the Isle of Palms Preservation Society and a resident of Breach Inlet, described the situation, saying, “You should see it today, it’s like a river in front of the house, it’s not like an ocean, it’s like a river this morning, and you can see it’s not raining.”
Lack of Coastal Management
The section of shoreline in question has been left unmanaged, without large-scale coastal stabilization or beach nourishment efforts. This has raised significant concerns among local homeowners about the erosion trends, prompting some to approach experts like Martin for help. “We did that cursory quantitative look. The next step would be to put some instrumentation out, look at the physical processes happening here, and then look at alternatives,” said Martin.
Causes of Erosion and Expert Recommendations
A report conducted by Coastal Protection Engineering identified several factors contributing to the erosion, including sea level rise, shifting inlet channels, shoal welding, and sediment bypassing events. Experts warn that without a comprehensive beach management plan, the erosion will only worsen.
“We need to do something that’s going to really balance preserving the island as a whole rather than just little tiny chunks,” Martin emphasized.
Ongoing Discussions on Solutions
The City of Isle of Palms held a meeting on August 12th to discuss potential solutions, but many questions remain unresolved, such as the permitting process, cost, and funding options. City leaders have committed to considering community input as they move forward with plans to protect homes and the southern shoreline of the island.
Soloman voiced the need for more concrete options, saying, “We want to get to that next step where you provide us with 4 or 5 options, with the risks and the benefits and the cost, because it sounds like from what I’m seeing, sand is we’re in a cycle now.”
As the city works to finalize a solution, residents and experts alike are calling for swift and comprehensive action to address the growing erosion problem and safeguard the island’s future.
