The Nation - News from Oct. 6, 1989

Army engineers on bulldozers began rebuilding sand dunes along South Carolina’s hurricane-ravaged coast, preparing for abnormally high tides later this month. About 550 soldiers and Marines hauled sand in 100 dump trucks to build up eight miles of dunes between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, where the high tides arriving Oct. 14 pose the greatest threat of erosion, said Corps of Engineers spokeswoman Carol Todd. The moon’s closest approach to Earth in years will push tides at least 2 feet above the normal 5-foot range, and northeasterly winds could push them even higher. The dunes are the only shield for seaside homes and businesses. Gov. Carroll A. Campbell Jr. said he hopes to have 65 miles of dunes rebuilt along the coast.