- stacybourne
- September 23, 2023
- 5:30 pm
- No Comments
Cities and towns along the coast may sustain severe damage when a hurricane makes landfall. A hurricane pushes a significant amount of ocean water ashore as it approaches the coast. This is known as a storm surge. It is often the most lethal component of a hurricane or tropical cyclone. Coastal communities are affected by storm surges in a variety of short- and long-term ways. A storm surge can cause immediate damage and increase the vulnerability of coastal communities to future storms. It can cause property damage, disrupt the local economy, pollute water and air, change soil composition, erode coastlines and beaches, destroy coastal habitats, and force people to relocate.
Inland Flooding
When these powerful storms cross land, their wind strength diminishes. Still, they dump massive amounts of rain into streams, rivers, and lakes, posing a severe threat of inland flooding. Inland flooding can happen when natural or artificial drainage systems cannot handle the amount of water on the land. Compared to other severe weather events, inland floods have the highest average annual cost of damage.
Inland flooding may expose people to contaminated floodwater and debris.
Flooding that disrupts infrastructure (e.g., septic/sewage/wastewater treatment facilities, electrical grids, transportation services, and communication systems) may expose people to extreme cold or heat, unsafe food, and drinking water, loss of access to medical services, and mold growth in homes and buildings. Waterborne pathogens (like bacteria) or toxic chemicals that contaminate food, drinking water sources, flooded buildings, and soil may also be exposed to people through floodwaters. This flooding can also lead to people’s displacement and valuable property loss.
Coastal Erosion
Coastal erosion is a natural process of sediment removal over time that reshapes and retreats shorelines. Hurricanes accelerate this process. Hurricanes and tropical storms may cause widespread beach and dune erosion and significant overwash. In some areas, accelerated coastal erosion due to hurricanes can be devastating, with entire sections of beach disappearing in a single storm. Tourism, shipping, fishing, agriculture, and other sectors dependent on coastlines are all impacted by coastal erosion. As coastal erosion continues to be an increasingly prominent problem, it can threaten the sustainability of these sectors and cause environmental damage to the surrounding areas.
Coastal Pollution
Hurricane flooding also adds to pollution by transporting more waste from the land or even from the sea to unintended locations. Marine animals’ lives may be in danger if consumed or caught in this debris. The fishing industry has been deeply affected by the increasing number of hurricanes and their devastating impacts over the past several years. The high amounts of trash and pollutants that storms bring to the coast have significantly reduced the number of fish species living in coastal areas.
The hurricanes have caused a dramatic increase in the amount of plastic and other debris that enters the ocean, creating an immense risk to marine life. Hurricanes can cause runoff from agricultural and urban areas, carrying pollutants into the ocean and affecting water quality.
Property Damage
As shorelines recede due to coastal erosion, our community becomes more vulnerable to increased flooding during “High Tides” and storms, potentially causing more severe damage to local homes and businesses. The most significant disruptive effect of hurricanes is property damage, which includes flooding, power outages, broken windows, uprooted trees, leaking or destroyed roofs, and much more. The economic impacts of hurricane-related property damage can be devastating for entire communities. For example, in 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria caused an estimated $265 billion in property damage to the United States alone. This devastating property damage has a ripple effect, resulting in further economic loss due to higher insurance premiums and lost wages.
Mitigation Suggestions For Impact on Coastline
Build seawalls and other protective structures
Seawalls, breakwaters, and revetments shield coastal communities from storm surges and encroaching waters. These flood mitigation structures are durable and, when used properly, can provide communities with cost-effective solutions. However, these structures can be expensive to build and maintain over time. They can also disrupt critical coastal habitats, including seagrass beds and mangrove forests.
Preserve natural habitats
Mangrove habitats, for example, are well suited to serve as barriers and endure these powerful storms, frequently repairing themselves after extreme events. This is important for mitigating storm surges, which are sometimes regarded as the most dangerous threat posed by hurricanes to coastal residents. Natural barriers are a hot topic of conversation among scientists and decision-makers who study coastal resilience now more than ever.
Implement sustainable land-use practices
Land-use practices, such as urbanization and agriculture, can contribute to runoff and pollution that can harm water quality and exacerbate the impact of hurricanes. Implementing sustainable land-use practices, such as reducing impervious surfaces and using sustainable agriculture methods, can help reduce the effects of storms on coastlines. In addition to reducing runoff and pollution, sustainable land-use practices can help preserve habitats and biodiversity, providing additional protection for coastal communities from rising sea levels.
Elevating buildings and infrastructure above flood levels can help prevent damage from flooding and storm surges. This is particularly important for critical infrastructure such as hospitals, emergency services, and water treatment plants. As these facilities are of the utmost importance to ensure the health and safety of the public, they must be protected from flooding and other natural disasters as much as possible. Therefore, it is essential to consider how to elevate critical infrastructure best when planning for the long term.
Develop early warning systems and evacuation plans
Early warning systems and evacuation plans can help to save lives and reduce the impact of hurricanes on communities. These plans should be developed and communicated to the public to ensure everyone is prepared for a hurricane. To ensure that these plans are effective, it is important to update them regularly. Updating the plans is essential because each hurricane season brings different storms with varying strengths, trajectories, and paths. It is also vital to train emergency personnel to implement the plans quickly and efficiently so that evacuation can begin as soon as a hurricane warning has been issued.
Encourage responsible development
Responsible development ensures that new construction and infrastructure are designed to withstand the impact of hurricanes. This includes building codes and standards requiring buildings to withstand hurricane-force winds and storm surges. Additionally, the use of zoning regulations and building materials can be beneficial in limiting damage from hurricanes. Planning can also help minimize the damage that hurricanes can cause, such as by setting aside undeveloped areas for green space, which can absorb some of the wind and storm surge impacts
Summary
Nothing is unaffected by a hurricane, from the environment to humans. A hurricane always has an impact on the population near the coast. Even though there is no way to prevent a hurricane from striking a coastal region, residents of nearby communities typically receive a few days’ worth’s of warning as a hurricane approaches. Before the storm hits, you have enough time to leave the area. It can be challenging for rescuers to evacuate everyone to higher ground to avoid the effects of rising waters in coastal communities. Residents of these communities should be prepared by staying informed about the approaching storm, having an evacuation plan, and maintaining emergency kits.
