US-ENVIRONMENT-WEATHER-BIG WAVES-MARIE

A tractor fills in a sand berm beside the pier at Seal Beach, California on August 27, 2014, where some overnight flooding occurred as the surging ocean water resulting from Hurricane Marie almost reached beachfront homes. And as surfers prep for what could be some of the biggest swells of the year, county and city officials are using tractors to fill in sand berms along coastal beaches, in a hopeful effort to avoid any flooding or other damage resulting from Hurricane Marie. AFP PHOTO / Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)