The city of Carlsbad declared a local state of emergency Tuesday as it seeks to repair erosion threatening a stretch of Carlsbad Boulevard, also known as Highway 101.
Starting on Dec. 11, high tides and high surf pummeled Carlsbad beaches. But as the water receded, it took stabilizing sand with it, leaving some areas vulnerable to damaging erosion.
One vulnerable stretch is along the shoulder of Carlsbad Boulevard north of the Encinas Creek Bride, which veers close to the beach.
During a Dec. 12 inspection, city staff discovered the road’s shoulder had been compromised, risking the integrity of the highway.
Cones are blocking the right lane of southbound Carlsbad Boulevard until repairs are made.
The city has not determined how much it will cost to fix the road or from where the funding will come.
By declaring a state of emergency, the city manager will be able to apply for state or federal financial aid to repair the erosion as quickly as possible.
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The city hopes to start work on the road next week, but they are still waiting on permits to be approved.
Robin Robertis walks along the damaged stretch of road and beach nearly everyday. She said she's never seen so much erosion in such a short time.
"It's been pretty crazy down here," said Robertis. "One day you have a beach, and the next day you don't."
A lifeguard with the Carlsbad State Beach told NBC 7 waves have eroded several feet of cliff along the coast just over the last month.
But the shrinking beach could not keep people like Michelle Panik and her kids away.
"We just love to come to the beach, even if this is all the beach we have," she said.
