Cottages Swept Out to Sea at Roy Carpenter's Beach - ABC6 - Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather

Cottages Swept Out to Sea at Roy Carpenter's Beach

By: Melissa Toupin

mtoupin@abc6.com

Residents of the beach community in Matunuck spent the day surveying damage to their homes. Hurricane Sandy pushed many of them off their foundations and into the sea. It's one of the hardest hit areas in the state.

The damage to homes along Roy Carpenter Beach in Matunuck is evident. Sandy's surge ripping through the summer cottage community leaving a path of destruction for miles.

"Waves were actually hitting the front of the house when we left.  So we pretty much assumed that it was going to roll in shortly after that," said Tom Shalvey whose house was washed out to sea.

Three cottages went out with the tide. The powerful surge ripping apart a handful of homes along the waterfront. Dozens more left damaged.

Joe Little looked over his summer home of more than 30 years. It was ripped right off the foundation.

"It is a big disappointment," said Little. "You know we had closed it up for the winter and everything was fine. Now seeing the house moved and in this shape it's a big disappointment."

Little says he's been through several hurricane's at the beach, and Sandy has by far been the worst.

Those lucky enough to avoid the crashing waves still had to deal with flooding. Many still submerged in water today.

Residents and curious beachgoers packed the several mile stretch of beach Monday trying to get a glimpse of the damage.

"So many memories. I just look at this and I say What's going to happen from here? Where did our beach go? And look at the damage it did to these houses," said Deb Fortin. "Crazy."

"My mother used to live in that house right around the corner here a few years back. Sold it just in time I guess because now it's in the water," said Todd Crane.

Debris now litters the sand. Cars even fire hydrants buried. All as people try to pick up the pieces Sandy tore apart.

"You know luckily we're here. Some of the houses aren't. So I can always rebuild," said Little. He has insurance and plans to do just that.

Many residents hoping they will be able to get things back to normal in time for next years opening day.