Nor'easter Devastates Rockaway Beach, Transforming Shores into Irish-like Cliffs

A recent powerful nor'easter has significantly altered the landscape of Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York, eroding large portions of the shoreline and creating conditions reminiscent of Ireland's coastal cliffs. The storm's force stripped away sand, leaving behind steep drop-offs and depositing material further down the coast near Breezy Point.

Workers from the Parks Department are now engaged in efforts to replenish the lost sand. "The beach is pretty much gone," one anonymous worker told The Post. "All the sand here was taken away and ended up down there by Breezy Point." Previously submerged wooden jetties have been uncovered due to the massive sand displacement, highlighting the storm's impact.

At Jacob Riis Park, the storm created a sand cliff approximately 14 feet tall at Beach 149th Street. Evidence of the storm's intensity was visible on the boardwalk, where sand levels reached as high as 26 inches. Surfers who ventured out during the storm reported feeling the sandbars beneath them disappear.

The dramatic changes have surprised local residents. Hazzard Ho, 32, noted the beach's altered appearance, stating, "It definitely looks different! You used to be able to walk through there by the jetty. Now it just stops where that cliff is."

The extent of the erosion varies along the coastline. Steve Closs, a retired FDNY lieutenant, stated that near Beach 80th Street, nearly 30 feet of beach was washed away, and he credited a new stone jetty with preventing even more severe damage. "The beach is almost totally gone," he added.

Jacob Riis Park is managed by the National Parks Service, while city agencies and the US Army Corps of Engineers oversee other sections of the shoreline. This division of responsibility has presented challenges for residents seeking improvements, particularly regarding the wooden jetties.

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola expressed significant concern over the erosion, emphasizing the need for immediate action to ensure resident safety and prevent impacts on future summer seasons. She has called for a joint visit from the city's Emergency Management department and the US Army Corps of Engineers.

The cost and timeline for repairing the damage remain uncertain. A previous $26.4 million project in 2013 aimed to restore millions of cubic yards of sand lost after Hurricane Sandy. The US Army Corps of Engineers stated they are assessing the situation to develop a plan, noting that the restored beach design