Calvert County Neighbors Thank Volunteers Who Saved Their Homes

HUNTINGTOWN, Md. (WUSA) -- There's a huge sign parked out in front of Marty Meyer's home here on the Chesapeake Bay.

"Thank You!" it says, in front of the pile of stuff volunteers helped Meyer save from the Bay that was rolling up against the back of his house. "The sign is too small," says Meyer. "I was going to have a banner all across the front of the house, and I still might."

Scores of people climbed into the surf to help pile sandbags in front of Meyer's home and five other houses as waves pushed by the Nor'easter raged against their foundations.

Some of the homes have been in families for generations. At one point, there was 60 feet of sand protecting them from the Bay, but it's all eroded away now. The neighbors fear even a small storm will now pitch the houses into the water.

State and county officials are promising to try and come up with a short term fix within about 48 hours. But it may take some serious sand replenishment to really ease the danger.