After a major storm last February, homeowners in the city of Salisbury, located about 50 kilometers north of Boston, were tired of the hurricane. They decided to build the dunes themselves.
15,000 tons of sand
One contractor dumped 15,000 tons of sand. The dunes were completed last week. The entire amount, half a million dollars (more than 450 thousand euros), was paid out of my own pocket. Locals announced on a local Facebook page that more grass could be grown for an additional fee.
Three days after the dune was completed, a storm moved along the East Coast of the United States. The images show that almost the entire sand dune has disappeared into the sea.
“It's like we're urinating against the wind,” one homeowner told Local Radio 10 Boston. However, he also sees a bright spot: If it weren't for the dunes, homes would have been damaged by this storm. After the storm in February, many homes along the beach were also damaged.
The senator from Massachusetts, of which Salisbury is a part, said he would help. He's trying to come up with $1.5 million to rebuild the dunes. “But sand on the beach is not a permanent solution,” he added. “It shows how big a challenge we face.”
American media reported that it is also not possible to build a sea wall. Massachusetts law prohibits such a permanent structure on the beach.
