NORTH COVE — Erosion at Washaway Beach off Highway 105 in North Cove, caused one home to sink into the Pacific Ocean Wednesday and left another half submerged.
Wood and other debris could be seen on land and in the water on Wednesday as crowds gathered around where one house had succumbed to the erosion that morning and another perched with just half its foundation on land.
The problem of homes sinking into the ocean due to erosion has been a problem since the early 1900s in the area, with Washaway Beach eroding an average of 100 feet per year for the past century, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology’s website.
“Twenty years ago this was probably a quarter mile away from the water,” said Warren Bone, referring to where the ocean now meets land. Bone and his wife, Diana, came from Tokeland to look at the damage.
Barbara McEwen and her friend, Earl Soule, were also at the beach to see for themselves what happened.
McEwen said she was at the beach yesterday, as well, when there was still a cul-de-sac near the two houses.
That road is now underwater. Standing at the edge of the water McEwen said that last Friday she couldn’t see the ocean from that spot.
Debra Green came from Aberdeen to see what was left of the houses and help a resident of the now-sunken home move items from his residence.
“It’s just crazy it went that fast,” said Green. “Last night the house was still standing.”
Marcy Merrill took care of three dogs for the owner of the house that sank. Two of the dogs are still with Merrill, while one needs a new home and is currently at a shelter.
Merrill said the the owners of the house are not sure where they will stay for the time being, and decided to to look after the animals as a way to help during this hectic time of transition.
“I wanted to give them peace of mind; they were stressed out,” she said.
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