High Surf — Southeast Suffolk, New York

2009-11-13 to 2009-11-15 · Southeast Suffolk, New York

Event narrative

Severe beach erosion occurred along with cuts into the dunes across the Atlantic Ocean facing shoreline.

The surf carved into the dunes in front of the pavilion at Smith Point County Park.

In parts of East Hampton, Bridgehampton, and Quogue, as much as 50 ft. of dunes was eaten away by the high waves.

Damages include $ 5.5 million in Quogue and $ 3.9 million at Smith's Point.

In Wainscott, the pavement at the end of Beach Lane collapsed on November 14th.

In Bridgehampton, homes along Surfside Drive that once had wide dunes between them and the ocean now peek out onto the beach over narrow bands of dune grass.

In Quogue, the sand dunes were scoured out from beneath the municipal beach pavilion.

Wider weather episode

A strong and persistent east northeast wind gradient existed over the region between strong low pressure off the Carolinas (remnants of Ida) and a strong high pressure system located over Eastern Canada between November 11th and the 14th. The tidal piling over several tidal cycles caused widespread moderate coastal flooding along the south shore back bays of Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island and the eastern bays of Long Island. Minor to locally moderate coastal flooding occurred along New York Harbor and Western Long Island Sound. High seas and long period easterly swells also caused significant beach erosion along Atlantic Ocean facing beaches.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 202389. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.