BEVERLY SHORES, Ind. — Leaders of several communities along Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline are calling on Gov. Eric Holcomb to declare a state of emergency and help with funding to fight erosion as near-record high water levels continue sweeping away beaches important to tourism.
Beverly Shores, a town of 613, has already drained its reserves, spending nearly $365,000 on sandbags that have since washed away. Beverly Shores Town Council President Geof Benson said efforts to fix the road and other problems will cost millions more.
“Erosion is not new, but with the severity and speed of it, this is different,” Benson, who has lived there for 31 years, told The Indianapolis Star.