Acceding to the National Parks service and Fire Island National Seashore (FINS) “Sandy” the devastating storm that hit Fire Island this past October caused two major breaches on Fire Island that may alter the island, as we know it.

“After Hurricane Sandy, two breaches were identified within Fire Island National Seashore boundaries. One is within Smith Point County Park, where the closure of that breach will be managed by Suffolk County. The National Park Service is evaluating a breach within the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness near Old Inlet.”

The images and video below show a very deep breach in the vicinity of Old Inlet, is in the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness. As you can see by the images huge waves from the ocean penetrating the Great South Bay causing a significant divide in the Fire Island landscape.  It is too early to determine if this is going to become a permanent divide, creating a new inlet to the Ocean or if it will naturally fill in with sand.

Originally reports stated that Fire Island had four total breaches. As it turns out two of these breaches are being considered non-critical “wash overs”.  The other critical breach is east in the Smith Point County Park area. This breach being managed and at last report will be permanently closed off by Suffolk County.

Video showing the breach caused by superstorm Sandy, that devastated Fire Island.
*Photo courtesy of Michael Busch