Hurricane Jose creates issues for Margate's dune project

MARGATE, N.J. (WPVI) -- The tidal flooding caused by Hurricane Jose created issue for the controversial dune project in the Jersey shore city of Margate.

Margate mayor Mike Becker told Action News Tuesday that he fielded many phone calls from angry residents.

"It's started 7 o'clock this morning, lots of phone calls," Becker said.

He then called the Army Corps of Engineers himself.

"They knew this storm was coming; they should've had a lot more pumps," Becker said.

At issue is the temporary outflow pipes put in place by the Army Corps of Engineers during the controversial dune project on Margate beaches.

Previously, residents say, the construction created ponds filled with bacteria laden water. But on Tuesday morning, because of the effects from the storm, tidal water came in through the pipes meant to drain water. This created ponding and flowed into the street.

Backhoes were used to try to stop the water.

"In a regular nor'easter before the dunes came, we'll have water which will ebb and flow and we get rid of it. Now, we have water ponded on the side of the dune," Becker said.

Residents came to see what was going on for themselves.

"It's a concern everyday so we hope they know what they are doing," Frank Murphy said.



The project is meant to build dunes to protect the city.

"Now the water is coming back from the pipe and that's where all this water came from. It's crazy," Margate resident Ross Gardner said.

The mayor is concerned about the impact future storms will have.

"It's giving me a sick feeling in my stomach. This could be disastrous," Becker said.

The Army Corps of Engineers told Action News they are working to fix the problem.
In addition, they stopped dredging several days ago and moved the dredge to a safer location due to the forecast.

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