The beach is a very dynamic system, constantly changing its shape in response to winds, waves, tides, and currents. When high energy waves are generated by coastal storms such as Hurricane Isabel, sand is typically moved in several directions: alongshore (north or south), on-shore (into or over dune areas), or offshore (into nearshore sandbars).

After the storm passes, lower energy waves often move the sand back into the beach area. Sand that had been deposited in nearshore sand bars is gradually moved onto the dry beach area. These sand bars may actually migrate back onto the beach within a week or two of the storm event.

The photographs below show how the sand moved back onto the beach at Herring Point, Cape Henlopen State Park from September 18th through October 6th. Notice how the beach has become wider and higher. The stumps that had been exposed during the Isabel erosional event are now almost totally covered.