This US island was set to become a resort until 2 storms changed everything
Assateague Island in Maryland was originally slated for large-scale resort development until two major storms in 1933 and 1962 destroyed infrastructure. The island was subsequently preserved as a protected national seashore.
Why it matters
The history of the island serves as a case study for the impact of climate events on land-use planning and the importance of coastal conservation.
Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland is known for its undeveloped beaches, wildlife and natural coastal habitats. But plans were once in place to turn large parts of Assateague into a resort community with homes, roads, commercial areas and other infrastructure.The island's story took a different turn after two major storms, National Park Service says. A hurricane in 1933 changed the shape of the land by opening an inlet between the southern end of Ocean City and Assateague.
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