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

Some stories are downright strange. Here's our wrap-up from around Northern Suffolk and the East End.

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.

So Sad March 18, 2013 at 03:36 am
The commercial sand mining operation in Mecox Bay is wreaking havoc on all adjacent beaches just as commercial mines destroy forests, streams and mountains. It looks horrible. And none if the mined sand is being used to save the very beaches which are being killed even though that is where the sand originated. Why is it all being sold?
If we cut down all of our trees and sell all of our top soil we'll find other artifacts, too. Sad. So will protect our defenseless beaches from the miners?
Earl March 18, 2013 at 03:50 am
Christian Ave has been a disaster for a lot longer than just this past winter. I have always said I wonder if so many houses are for sale there because the road has been in terrible shape for the longest time.
Doe, John March 18, 2013 at 10:47 am
Who will be liable when someone slices off their foot or arm on this old wreckage?
Justin Time March 18, 2013 at 11:33 am
Liability wasn't an issue when the cars were dumped. Keeping the dunes in tact was the issue and the government didnt step in and provide equipment paid for by tax dollars like it does today. Alot of people complain about government interference..bet they won't mind in this case.
muskrat March 18, 2013 at 07:40 pm
Digging sand way out on the flats isn't hurting the beaches, anyone can see that by looking at it where its being dug. Has no effect. If this year is like others, it'll be over by Plover season anyway. Sand from the beaches to the east has been washed in during big storms and filled the mouth of the bay, and will keep doing so with each new storm.
Beachfront homeowners want to be able to buy sand to put infront of their houses on what is their own private property - so let them. Where would they get it otherwise? The obvious issue is that houses shouldn't have been allowed to be built so close to the ocean to begin with. Those old cars aren't looking like too good an idea either.

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P. J. Miller June 17, 2013 at 08:50 pm
This should not be a problem getting passed. It is across from the hospital there is a nursing homeRead More near by. We need more nursing homes as there are no beds available for our aging population. If you want to stay here near your family as you age and need a nursing home in the future, let them build this. You do not want to go outside of Smithtown and live in nursing homes out of this area - trust me, they are not nice! It is a fact of life, we are all going to be there one day- at least have a say in it and have them build one for our future needs. They do not have much noise or activity- really. Plus they will bring jobs to our area.
Nick June 17, 2013 at 07:56 pm
25A is called North Country Rd. in the St. James area ( Northern Blvd. is more Nassau and Queens)...Read More Thanks for the update on this creep!
scsddad June 17, 2013 at 09:16 pm
Nick, North Country rd. is 25A. Northern Blvd. intersects 25A and runs all the way to Roseville.Read More Northern Blvd is a small street about 1 mile long that is one block over from smithtown HS East main entrance. It's a serious problem when most of the neighborhood walking to the HS will pass by this creeps house. It's a totally different Northern Blvd.
Nick June 17, 2013 at 09:55 pm
Gotcha, thanks!
knee jerk June 17, 2013 at 09:02 am
Nice. While waiting for the gates to go up, you could have viewed some of the direlect buildings inRead More town.
knee jerk June 17, 2013 at 08:58 am
Creten?
The Smithtown Avenger June 17, 2013 at 12:19 pm
I don't think the town has a say in it. That is the good old MTA.
June Kempf June 13, 2013 at 09:14 am
As past president of the Sufolk County chapter of MDA and 30 year volunteer, I would like to urgeRead More young men in the community to take the challenge and enrich your lives as well as the families of vicitms of this dread disease. You have no idea how much you will be needed and appreciated. Go for it!