Erosion Takes a Temporary Toll on Beaches at Fifth and Sixth Streets

While some beaches at the north and south ends of Ocean City are as wide as ever, spring erosion has taken its toll on the sand at Fifth and Sixth streets.

Access to the beach at Fifth Street is blocked to protect visitors from a small sand cliff. The erosion is a natural part of an annual cycle that sees winter storms pull sand off the beaches and spring tides and winds help sand migrate back onto the beaches.

Ocean City Business Administrator Mike Dattilo said Friday that the city will wait until closer to the season to see how much of the beach gets rebuilt naturally and how much work the city will have to do to make it ready for summer visitors.