Posted on October 1, 2025
Dunes on beaches in Wells, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach were badly damaged during the January 2024 storms
YORK COUNTY, Maine — Some of Maine’s beaches are still not the same after back-to-back winter storms hit in January 2024.
Nearly two years later, some of those beaches are getting a buffer against future storms.
In York County, FEMA funding is helping restore dunes in Wells, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach. York County Emergency Management Agency Director Art Cleaves said the dunes that were in place acted as a protective barrier for homes and businesses.
While the dunes did their job, they were drastically diminished from the 2024 storms. Cleaves said if the dunes are not restored before another major storm hits, the damage could be far worse.
“We want to make sure that we have full protection, because it would be billions, not millions, but it would be billions of dollars worth of damage if another storm like the one that happened in January happens again,” Cleaves said. “So, those dunes that were in place actually afforded a high level of protection, and now they’re not there.”
Sand for Saco and Wells will be dredged. For Old Orchard Beach, sand will be brought in from a nearby quarry.
The project is expected to take place between November 2024 and March 2025.
