Welcome back to our Special Series: "Dangers of the East Coast". In Part 3 we talk about Coastal Flooding, Vessels Adrift and the Abnormally High Tides of 2009.
If you haven't checked out the First 2 parts of the series,
Part One can be found here:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-20121-Savannah-EMT-Examiner~y2009m8d28-Special-Series-Dangers-of-the-East-Coast--Hurricanes
Part Two is here:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-20121-Savannah-EMT-Examiner~y2009m8d29-Special-Series-Dangers-of-the-East-Coast--Part-2
What part do sea levels play in the severity of storm impacts on the East Coast? According to the NOAA, this year’s astronomical high tides were caused by “persistent winds and a weakened current in the Mid-Atlantic”. http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090831_tides.html
Sea levels were reported up to 2 feet higher than normal in some places along the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Florida. One particular current, known as the “Florida Current Transport” was a major contributor to the year’s coastal flooding. Along with a constant Northeast wind, the East coast experienced a very unusual and sometimes frightening year. Had this occurred during an active year for Hurricanes, like 2005, the damages to east coast communities would have been significant. This is one reason it is so important that communities are always prepared and keeping an eye on any changes in the year’s climate and keeping residents aware of any potential impacts from storms.
Coastal flooding causes damage to property, such as houses and roadways. The East Coast is full of communities that are linked together by bridges and roads that are in low lying areas, in some cases not much higher than sea level. In years when seas levels rise abnormally, as they did in 2009, it creates an even greater potential for catastrophic damages from storms. During the high tides, roadways can become impassable and sometimes people do not understand the dangers involved. A few inches of water can sweep a person off tcheir feet. Just 1-2 feet of water can carry away your car. Be sure to check this out in: How to Survive in a Hurricane: http://www.examiner.com/x-20121-Savannah-EMT-Examiner
This year was exceptional for East Coasters in terms of tides, however, it does not necessarily mean that next year will be even higher. What it means, is that communities need to use every resource available to predict and prepare on a month by month and season by season basis.
Many East Coast communities are located in flood plains. In years with higher tides and heavy rainfall, these floodplains can take a long time to drain, leaving residents soggy for weeks. Soil can also be pulled away from the property and underground water channels that you don’t see can change unexpectedly, resulting in problems like sinkholes and flooding as the water table rises from below. Since we have very little geological surveying done in many local communities, these hazards can be very difficult to prepare for.
Another hazard associated with waterways, storms and flooding relates to moored vessels. In 2008, Hurricane Gustav caused problems with barges breaking loose from their moorings and damaging vital structures such as bridges. A plan was formed in the Gulf Coast to minimize this danger, which could be considered by East Coast communities as well. In Louisiana, a rule was put in place stating that barges and other vessels could not remain moored in major waterways, such as the Intra-coastal. The problem with this on the East Coast, is that prior to a storm, vessels may have to be brought inland by passing under draw bridges. These same draw bridges may need to be down during an evacuation to allow people to leave coastal areas. Each state will need to tackle this issue in their emergency planning.
It’s time to introduce another face into the crowd of dangers on the coast. When many people think of Tornadoes, they automatically think of Tornado Alley which covers the center of the country, from the South of the Mississippi almost to the Great Lakes. But East Coasters, particularly those in the south east, should acquaint themselves with another area of high tornado activity – Dixie Alley.
In Part 4, we will look closer at this area and the phenomenon of tornadoes on the East Coast as we go “Inside a Dixie Alley Tornado”.
Keep Safe!
