For more than 35 years, Melani Lamond and Brian Ratigan have owned a home on Brighton Place in Ocean City. After the recent nor'easter ate away at the dunes and caused severe erosion , they fear their home may be at risk if another storm comes.

"If they don't get put back, we're really vulnerable, and the hurricane season isn't over by any means," Lamond said.

"I'd say this is about the worst we've seen, but it's certainly something we can conquer," said Keith Hartzell, Ocean City Councilman.

At a council meeting Thursday night , councilmembers unanimously voted 7-0 to declare an erosion emergency, Jay A. Gillian, the mayor of Ocean City, said, urging immediate state and federal action.

The nor'easter and the impacts from Hurricane Erin in August took a chunk of the beach

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