Dauphin Island’s Berm Wiped Out

Alabama Gustav Dauphin Island's West End Berm was no match for Hurricane Gustav.

by Jene' Young

Published: Tue, September 02, 2008 - 4:20 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, September 10, 2008 - 5:28 pm CST

Gustav is gone, but so is the multi-million dollar berm on Dauphin Island.
This manmade sand dune protecting homes on the island's West End didn't hold up to Gustav's high surf and surge. The sand from the dune now covers the town's main road.

Mayor Jeff Collier said the berm did what it was suppose to do.
"The berm is simply for routine type high tide, flood events, not any type of a hurricane situation. So I fully anticipated that was going to be the case in this situation."
But now there's no protection at all.
Mayor Collier said in all, the berm took about two years to complete, and there is no word yet if another berm will be constructed.

As for the sand, it will cover Bienville Boulevard until tractors sweep it back to the beach.

The Mayor says the storm could've been a lot worse.
"Certainly our biggest problem was from flooding, and storm surge. Primarily on the West End, we did have some problems on the east end as well. Our biggest challenge right now is getting the west end back up and running and that's going to take clearing the streets. There are is a lot of sand on the streets, and some of the side streets were damaged."

Mayor Collier wants everyone to know, that regardless of the missing berm, he hopes visitors will return to the Island soon.

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carl Says:

Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 3:55 pm

They think more with our pocket book than with their heads.

southfan1981 Says:

Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 3:12 pm

rmseek, I was SHOCKED when I saw the beaches in NJ, shocked. All I could think was ICK. I grew up in VA BCH, that was “resort” enough for me. I also lived in Ocean Springs off the East beach and enjoyed watching the grasses being encouraged to grow. Everyone knows they hold the sand and allow it to build up. I don’t understand why this isn’t encouraged more on Dauphin Island.

rmseek1234 Says:

Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 3:01 pm

I believe you said before, southfan, that we need to let things go back to their natural state. So true, in so many instances. We continue to try to dominate the land, when in fact we destroy her. So many beautiful pieces of land have been raped to turn into mass subdivisions. I am fortunate that I have land-only 10 acres-but it will forever stay that way, and not a homestead to 20+ families.

Don’t get me wrong-I would love to have an island get away-if I could afford it. But more importantly, I want my great grandchildren to enjoy the island 50 years from now.

barefootangel Says:

Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 2:49 pm

You want to change the beaches and the gulf so people can live near the water? no more questions

southfan1981 Says:

Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 2:03 pm

They could do what Jersey did, pile rip-rap about 15 ft high to protect the homes at beachside. YOu can’t see the water or beach until you are OVER the barrier. Then, charge $10 to park and $10 per person per day. Problem solved. Turn the clock forward 50 years when we realize that changing the gulf current with berms actually undermines the build up of beaches where it is needed.

barefootangel Says:

Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 12:54 pm

May I ask what is a berm and what is it suppose to do?

rmseek1234 Says:

Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 12:30 pm

Why can’t they do some sort of retaining wall? Like dig down 20 feet, build it up with concrete or bricks and the put the sand around it, if they want to cover the wall?

carl Says:

Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 5:31 am

IT just seems to me that there is a more permanent solution to the problem than to continue to build berms that wash away that would pretty much make everyone happy. It just doesn’t seem to be that imposing of a problem.

southfan1981 Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 11:37 pm

The Yance’s donated money for the Field House. They donated the money because they believe in SOUTH. I do not know many folks who want to continue to throw good money after bad. What is good stewardship for the island and how will that impact the mainland shores?