Weird News: Tides Uncover Cars in Dunes; Pothole Sign Pops Up

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to inspiring tales of community brotherhood. But some stories are just plain weird. Here are some of the stranger headlines from the past seven days.

Tidal Surge Uncovers Cars Buried in Dunes

Erosion on the Water Mill shore the past few days has turned up a number of old rusted and twisted cars, which — while still intact — had been placed there to build up the dunes decades ago.

"They started to show on Saturday afternoon, and by Monday morning they were full-blown exposed," said Southampton Town Trustee Fred Havemeyer.

The vehicles turned up about 10 properties west of the Mecox Bay cut, near the Water Mill Beach Club, which had been devastated by Superstorm Sandy, he said.

A nor'easter moving through the area over three days, plus the perigean tide — the spring tide when the moon is closest to earth — contributed to the erosion, Havemeyer said.

That's Not a Town-Approved Road Sign

Residents in Stony Brook this week were surprised to find a new road sign this week, which many believe was a pointed jab at town road crews over the condition of the road.

The read: "Welcome to Christian Avenue" and "Enter at Your Own Risk."

In the past weeks, local angst over the chewed-up roadway has grown as the late-winter thaw has contributed to potholes widening and deepening on this scenic Suffolk back road.

Town of Brookhaven did notice the signs, too. They took them down.