Topsail turtle nests face risk from high tides as Hurricane Erin approaches

TOPSAIL ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — As Hurricane Erin churns offshore, local sea turtle advocates say the biggest threat to Topsail Island will come from high tides, which could impact the area’s remaining 45 to 50 sea turtle nests.

According to the Topsail Turtle Project, eggs can withstand some ocean overwash, and in certain cases it may even help by keeping nests from reaching dangerous temperatures. But nests that remain underwater for extended periods are unlikely to survive.

Ahead of the storm, volunteers have taken precautionary steps, including removing nest markers, signs, and temperature data loggers from areas expected to be washed out. Stakes have also been pounded into the sand in hopes that some will remain once tides recede.

“What we cannot do is move every nest to high ground,” the group wrote on Facebook. “We have to trust that the millions of years of biological strategy to deposit a few hundred eggs per turtle, into the sand every summer, can sustain some losses, as occur every nesting season around the globe.”

The group added that many nests have already successfully hatched this season, and more are expected to survive after the storm passes.

A 24-hour hotline is available for reports at 910-329-0222. Teams will assess the full extent of the impact on Friday, once conditions improve.