<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=24SfU8_0vlN02Gg00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=24SfU8_0vlN02Gg00" width="1320" height="743" >HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Hurricane Helene is hours away from landfall, and the category four hurricane has the beaches of South Carolina bracing for impacts from the Gulf Coast.Dr. Paul Gayes with Coastal Carolina University said beach erosion has been happening for years, but impactful storms can make it intensify.<blockquote>Right now we are in a very vulnerable period. We are at the end of the renourishment cycle. It's due to be done this year, and its somewhat delayed; So, when we have a storm come in thankfully its taking a different track, but its still a vulnerable period,” said Gayes.</blockquote>Renourishment, which is bringing in sand to fill in lower areas along the beaches only happens periodically.Gayes said it is not a forever fix to a recurring problem.<blockquote>Renourishment is a solution that's been working well. In other areas, we're going to have to start thinking about what is plan-B," said Gayes.</blockquote>In Gayes' mind, it's a question of defending or retreating from the erosion process.Gayes said some solutions have been groins, or engineered rock walls, that help sand flow in certain ways. However, he said this is not always the best idea or solution. but he says it isn't always the best idea.<blockquote>At the end of the day, you're interrupting the process," said Gayes.</blockquote>With our climate changing and storms intensifying, digging deeper into how to fix erosion is one of our only options for Gayes."How are we gonna handle it when we get to that point because we will get to that point," said Gayes.He said this could affect beaches for years to come.<blockquote>The importance of this landscape, and these environments is enormous. A lot f our state economy, and tourist industry is driven by the beach, so that beach and this system is our natural resource," said Gayes.</blockquote></div></body>

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Hurricane Helene puts vulnerable SC beaches at risk

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Hurricane Helene is hours away from landfall, and the category four hurricane has the beaches of South Carolina bracing for impacts from the Gulf Coast. Dr. Paul Gayes with Coastal Carolina University said beach erosion has been happening for years, but impactful storms can...