CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA – Emerald Isle's beaches are looking sparse since losing 2.2 million cubic yards of sand during Hurricane Florence.

• Town Manager Frank Rush says the beaches are the reason everyone lives on and visits Emerald Isle
• Sand replenishment will cost $40 million and take up to two years
• The town will request all $40 million from FEMA before using tax money

Town Manager Frank Rush said it is important to replenish the sand as the beaches are the reason everyone lives on and visits Emerald Isle.

Sand replenishment will cost $40 million and take up to two years. Rush said it is by far the most costly aspect of rebuilding for the town, but said it is a necessity.

“When you consider that we’re protecting more than $700 million worth of property on the oceanfront alone and $2.7 billion worth of property on Emerald Isle, so from a cost-benefits standpoint it’s really a no-brainer,” said Rush.

The town will request all $40 million from FEMA before using tax money. Rush said in the past, over half of storm revitalization was funded by taxpayers.

He hopes to begin sand replenishment this winter.