During fair-weather conditions along Fenwick Island, especially in the summer, there is a slow persistent movement of sand to the north in response to prevailing waves from the southeast. During storms, predominantly in the winter, waves from the northeast prevail and the longshore current is southward. In the absence of more severe winter storms, waves are usually much gentler in the summer and tend to deposit materials rather than erode. Winter storms with stronger winds and larger waves tend to erode rather than build beaches. Yes, about 150,000 cubic meters of sand per year to the south.
Hurricanes are especially destructive when they hit the coast.
This area, however, is hit by hurricanes less frequently than any other area of the U.S. Atlantic Coast. Extratropical storms or winter northeasters, however, occur 30 to 40 times each year and many impact this area. Student Sheet Beach systems are dynamic and complex. Human efforts to stabilize an unstable environment will lead to consequences for surrounding areas. Both the positive and the negative consequences need to be considered before any changes are made to that system.