(AP) -- State regulators are watching closely for beach erosion along the South Carolina coast as Hurricane Irene approaches.
Dan Burger of the state Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management says there has already been some erosion on the ends of barrier islands as a result of the long swells Irene is sending.
He says much will depend on the timing of the storm that is expected to pass by the coast late Friday and into Saturday. The storm's passing coincides with higher than usual astronomical high tides.
Burger says the state's beaches are in pretty good shape overall. It's been seven years since the last hurricane hit the South Carolina coast.
Irene is expected to hit the Outer Banks Saturday with sustained winds of 115 mph.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
