Stock photo (Unsplash), not a job photo.
The first 48 hours
- Safety first. Stay back from undermined edges and sinkholes. Shut off dock power if anything electrical was submerged.
- Document. Dated photos and video of the wall, the yard behind it, the dock and the neighbors' walls. Note the high-water mark.
- Secure loose items like decking or floats that could become debris, only if it's safe.
- Call your insurer to open a claim, even if you expect an exclusion.
- Get an assessment. A contractor can tell you whether it's a repair, a temporary stabilization or a replacement.
Rebuilding after a storm
On the federal side, the Army Corps' Nationwide Permit 3 covers repairing or replacing previously authorized structures destroyed or damaged by storms or floods, provided the work starts, or is under contract to start, within two years of the damage. State and town permits still apply.
Seawalls, revetments and living shorelines
Not sure which structure you have or need? See bulkhead vs seawall vs retaining wall.
On exposed bayfronts and Sound beaches, a vertical bulkhead isn't always the right answer, or the permitted one. DEC's bulkhead general permit excludes Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas and high-energy wave areas. There, rock revetments (sloped armor stone) or living shorelines that combine plantings and low sills are common alternatives, and they need individual review.
Town permit rules
Seawalls, Revetments & Storm Repair help is available on every tidal shoreline in Nassau and Suffolk. After DEC, the local permit comes from your town, city, village or Town Trustees, and the rules differ a lot. Start with yours:
Frequently asked questions
What should I do right after storm damage to my bulkhead or dock?
Keep everyone away from the edge, photograph everything with the date (wide shots and close-ups, including the neighbors' walls), note how high the water came, and remove loose decking or debris only if it's safe. Then call a marine contractor to assess and, if needed, stabilize it.
Does insurance cover bulkhead damage?
Usually not through flood insurance. The standard NFIP flood policy states that fences, retaining walls, seawalls, bulkheads, wharves, piers, bridges and docks are not covered. Homeowners policies generally exclude flood damage too. Read your policy and ask your agent, and keep your dated photos either way.
Can emergency repairs start before permits?
Some towns and agencies have emergency procedures for work that can't wait. Ask your contractor and your town, and DEC if the work is in tidal waters, about the emergency path before anything goes in the water.
What if a bulkhead isn't allowed where I am?
In Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas, near vegetated wetlands or on exposed shores, alternatives like rock revetments or living shorelines (plantings, sills, natural materials) may be required or preferred. Brookhaven's code, for example, prohibits new South Shore bulkheads unless the Town finds one necessary, and states a preference for non-structural erosion control where it's practicable.
Sources
- NYSDEC — General Permit: Bulkhead Removal and Replacement
- FEMA FloodSmart — SFIP does not cover seawalls, bulkheads, piers or docks (SFIP IV(12))
- Town of Brookhaven Code § 81-14 (shore protection standards)
- Federal Register, Jan 8 2026 — Nationwide Permit 3 (Maintenance), incl. storm-damaged structures
Related services
- Bulkhead Replacement: Full waterfront bulkhead replacement in vinyl, timber or steel sheet pile, in place or landward, often raised up to 18 inches under DEC's general permit.
- Bulkhead Repair: Sinkholes behind the wall, leaning sections, rotted wales and cap boards, failed tie-backs, and refacing (resheathing) an old wall.
- Dock Building & Repair: Fixed docks, piers, catwalks and ramps: new builds, redecking, and repairs to storm-damaged or borer-eaten pilings.
- Floating Docks: Modular and timber floating docks, gangway ramps and kayak or jet-ski floats sized for your bay's tide range.
- Boat Lifts: Four-post, cradle and elevator boat lifts sized to your boat, with the pilings and permits they need.
- Piling Replacement & Repair: Replacing or jacketing marine pilings weakened by shipworm, rot, ice or storm loads, under docks, lifts and bulkheads.