Mother Nature Accused Of Snatching Property Right Out From Under Celebrity Homeowners; No Charges Pending, Locals Fighting Back

In the Hamptons area of Long Island, the New York Post reports:

• First, property values in the Hamptons started sinking - now it's the properties themselves. Beachfront homes in the Hamptons hamlet of Wainscott - including the one belonging to cosmetics heir and former mayoral candidate Ronald Lauder - are slipping into the ocean, thanks to severe erosion brought on by high winds.

• "These houses are sitting ducks," said Larry Penny, the director of the town's Natural Resources Department. "The erosion is relentless. We don't see any relief in sight."

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• Faring little better is the nearby mansion of Marci Klein, the daughter of fashion legend Calvin Klein and a producer for "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock." A stairway meant to lead from the dunes in her backyard down to the beach is now submerged at high tide.

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• Penny estimated that the Klein and Lauder homes had lost about 20 feet of dune since November, thanks mostly to two big snowstorms in December and higher-than-usual tides.

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• Late "Jaws" star Roy Scheider was forced to stack sandbags outside his $16.75 million home to protect against beach erosion in 2006. He later sold the house to Billy Joel.

For the story, see ERODE TO RUIN (Big 'Drop' In Celebs Hamptons Real Estate).