Fay

The photo below was taken on Jekyll Island, near the Oceanfront Resort, by Babs McDonald on Wednesday, August 19th, at high tide, when winds were blowing from the northeast at a steady 30 mph. Tropical storm Fay, with winds of about 60 mph at its center, was about 100 miles south of Jekyll at that time.

Farther down Jekyll’s beach, waves were splashing over the top of the rock armoring and protective wall, sending a fine spray across the bike path. Extensive beach erosion could be

seen everywhere, with the areas along the Soccer Complex, the Oceanfront Resort (Clarion), and the Villas being particularly hard hit. A comparison of photos taken before and after the,storm shows that nearly five horizontal feet of beach were lost near the Villas and Oceanfront Resort

Imagine what the oceanside scene would be like if Jekyll were to be visited by a hurricane of some strength. Imagine what the effects would be on the proposed Jekyll town center, where Linger Longer Communities’ condos, time-shares and hotels would be within a stone’s throw of the dune line.

Understandably, climatologists and meteorologists are calling for restraint with respect to further commercial and residential development of barrier islands, where the impact of a powerful hurricane would be especially devastating. Less understandable is why the JIA board would choose a 45- acre oceanfront site as home for an ambitious development project