In Sea Isle City on Wednesday, resident Bill Dougherty said the beach had changed markedly since his visit about a month earlier, when the dunes sloped gradually toward the water. Recent storms, he said, had left the coastline looking “totally different.”

Sea Isle City Business Administrator George Savastano said a succession of storms could create serious problems, particularly with months remaining before the start of the summer season. Some areas are beginning to regain sand naturally, officials said. The city recently finished a beach replenishment project and is considering moving sand to other parts of the island in spring to prepare for tourism season.

Atlantic City officials are also watching erosion closely. The Army Corps of Engineers ranked September’s nor’easter fifth in erosion potential among weather events recorded in Atlantic City over the past 115 years.

The current storm’s main threat to Atlantic City is further beach erosion, said Scott Evans, the city’s emergency management director. City administrators, public works staff and grant writers have been meeting with the Army Corps to consider temporary measures to protect the boardwalk and nearby structures, Evans said.

Minor tidal flooding was expected through Thursday, and officials warned that strong winds could create additional hazards. Residents and visitors were advised to secure loose items outdoors.

The damage poses a practical challenge for coastal towns whose beaches are both a storm buffer and a major draw for visitors. Officials remain concerned that additional severe winter storms could further erode shorelines before communities can make preparations for next summer.