Most residents will have their eyes on the sky as a potentially historic blizzard hits the state Friday. Bob Connors will have to keep one eye on the sky — and one on the ocean.

A homeowner on Plum Island since 1979, Connors fears big winds and high surges from the storm could bring a nasty one-two punch, knocking out progress homeowners have made to restore the beach, battered for years by severe erosion that threatens to drag some homes into the sea.