Officials: Dune Road Could Remain Closed for Days

Update: Dune Road will open at noon on Thursday. Find out more here. 

Update: Photos of Dune Road from the air. See them here. 

Update: First photos from Dune Road after Sandy. See them here. 

Update: FEMA has been called in to assess Dune Road damage. Read the story and see photos of Dune Road damage here. 

Previous: A day after Hurricane Sandy struck, Police officers were standing guard at all Dune Road bridges — from Hampton Bays to Quogue and Westhampton Beach — as homeowners arrived by the droves, hoping to get across to their homes to assess damage.

All access, however, was denied.

According to the Town of Southampton, Dune Road has experienced substantial damage with multiple reports of washouts along the entire length of the road with major dune destruction.

The road, the town said, will remain closed until further notice.

Unofficial reports indicate that there may have been breaches near Tiana in Hampton Bays and Jetty 4 in Westhampton Beach.

Environmentalist Aram Terchunian, M.Sc., of First Coastal Corporation, did confirm that there are at least 10 to 12 overwashes from Quogue to the Shinnecock Inlet.

"Dune Road is impassable," he said. 

Officials, including the mayors of Westhampton Beach and Quogue and Southampton Councilman Chris Nuzzi, were also on Dune Road Tuesday afternoon assessing the damage.

Their official reports have not yet been made available to the press.

West Hampton Dunes Mayor Gary Vegliante, however, reported early Tuesday that the Village of West Hampton Dunes is in very good shape. Read his report here.

Quogue Police Chief Robert B. Coughlan, who was standing guard at the flooded Ogden Lane Tuesday afternoon, said he does not believe Dune Road will open for at least a few days.

"It is for the safety of residents," said Coughlan, citing downed wires, flooding and even possible gas leaks.

A fire broke out on Dune Road late Monday night on the border of Hampton Bays and East Quogue and the Hampton Bays Fire Department was unable to reach the blaze. Early Tuesday morning, Hampton Bays Firefighters were still not able to access the area, but believed the fire had gone out.

A second fire was reported on Dune Road at 4 p.m. on Tuesday in Quogue's jurisdiction. The Hampton Bays Fire Department was called in for assistance. Details have not yet been made available.

As the roadway remains closed, residents pleaded with officers to check on their homes. Officers took addresses and promised to try to check, but could not make any promises.

Patch will provide continues updates regarding Dune Road, so be sure to check back frequently.

For more on Hurricane Sandy's aftermath, click here.

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