An illustration of a beach complex showing an "overwash regime" - a type of storm impact on a beach complex and dune system

An illustration of a beach complex showing an "overwash regime." Total water levels (including tide, surge, and waves) reach the dune crest. When storm-induced waves exceed the height of the dune, sand is transported over top of the dune and deposited inland.  The beach becomes greatly altered/degraded. This poses an elevated threat to buildings and roadways immediately behind the dune due to sand transported inland over the dune. This process, known as overwash, causes a significant change in the landscape of the island.