NC Coastal News
OK, we think we have seen too many folks parading this around as an example of good coastal adaptation. Yes, it is awesome that these guys exceeded code and added free board to build an oceanfront home that survived a hurricane. But, on the oceanfront, this is not long-term adaptation. If all we do is lift things up, we still have to hold the shoreline in place or this house will simply go to sea. The beach is moving in response to long term SLR. The problem here is bigger than better construction. The problem is the LOCATION. These "superhomes" will also need super roads, and super utilities, and beach nourishment forever. Build this home further inland. Then you will be fine.
www.nytimes.com/2018/10/14/us/hurricane-michael-florida-mexico-beach-house.html
Among the Ruins of Mexico Beach Stands One House, Built ‘for the Big One’
nytimes.com
Hurricane Michael wrecked every other beachfront house on the block, but one came through the storm nearly pristine, as if protected by grace. How did it survive?Evolution of a Gulf hurricane, from Tropical Storm to Category 4 in five days...
Rob Perillo Chief Meteorologist KATC
5 day evolution of Hurricane Michael. A 40 mph tropical storm to high end Category 4 storm with 155 mph winds in 72 hrs. Another tropical system that reminds us how quickly storms can intensify with devastating results. Incredible how the storm strengthened & eye became most perfect right at landfall. Another storm for the record books...the name will be retired this offseason, but the rebuilding will last for years.
How accurate were the flood maps at Mexico Beach?
Analysis by Blair Tormey and Katie Peek shows that roughly 80% of structures are gone or severely damaged by storm surge, in an area mapped as minimal flood hazard (FEMA's X Zone).
As such, none of these structures would have been required to carry flood insurance (only zones V and A).
The X Zone is defined as an area of minimal flood hazard, outside the 0.2% annual-chance flood (or 500-year flood).
Very interesting article about the politics of disaster relief and preparedness.
Disaster Politics Can Get In The Way Of Disaster Preparedness
fivethirtyeight.com
UPDATE (Oct. 15, 2018, 3:28 p.m.): President Trump is visiting Florida and Georgia on Monday to survey the damage done by Hurricane Michael. Last year, after a …If you would like to see the damage from Hurricane Michael for yourself, you can access it through NOAA's post-Michael imagery viewer at this link.
storms.ngs.noaa.gov
Mexico Beach Damage Update (Expanded Area)
by Katie Peek and Blair Tormey
61% of structures in the expanded study area (Canal to the east end of town) are gone or sustained major damage. The west end was severely impacted, where entire houses were transported up to 500 feet by storm surge (see photo).
Videos used from WXChasing:
Aerial: Hurricane Michael aftermath Mexico Beach to Port St. Joe Florida from Helicopter
Ground: What it looks like driving down HWY 98 after Hurricane Michael - Mexico City, FL - 10/13/2018
New video from WXChasing showing the devastation at ground level in Mexico Beach, FL. This is the exact area that we mapped and posted about on Friday. Notice the volumes of deposited sand and entire houses carried off their foundations and transported inland. This is the work of a powerful storm surge (not wind).
The video starts driving east on Hwy 98 looking landward, then returns back to the west, looking seaward.
Link to Friday's post: www.facebook.com/WCUPSDS/photos/a.10150684087474459/10156924339469459/?type=3&theater
WXChasing
What it looks like driving down HWY 98 after Hurricane Michael...
Mexico Beach, FL
10/13/2018
Wow! Actual footage of Mexico Beach storm surge.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3ofAJSqpLM&feature=shareRemarkable video from my GoPro of Mexico Beach as huricane Michael roars ashore. This video is not to be rebroadcast on any television network as I have an e...
GIS analysis by Katie Peek and Blair Tormey of yesterday's viral aerial footage of Mexico Beach, FL shows that only 24% of structures remain standing in the area, following Hurricane Michael's devastating storm surge.
Analysis: shoreline.wcu.edu/Blair/Mexico_Beach.pdf
Video: www.facebook.com/wxchasing/videos/hurricane-michael-devastation-in-mexico-beach-from-helicopter/8...
Hurricane Michael produced a storm-surge debris line in Mexico beach, FL just as Hurricane Katrina did in Mississippi. Spectacular. It will be interesting to see why the homes that remained intact survived.
www.cnbc.com/2018/10/11/did-hurricane-michael-put-an-end-to-red-tide-the-jury-is-out.html
Florida waits to see if Hurricane Michael put an end to red tide outbreak
cnbc.com
Hurricane Michael hit land early Wednesday afternoon, potentially effecting the algae that produces red tide. However, experts are uncertain if it will make it better or worse.Rob will be on the State of Things today at noon:
www.wunc.org/programs/state-things#stream/0
New article by Rob and Katie:
e360.yale.edu/features/why-the-current-hurricane-rating-system-needs-to-be-scrapped
Why the Current Hurricane Rating System Needs to Be Scrapped
e360.yale.edu
For decades, hurricanes have been rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based solely on a storm’s wind speeds. But as recent hurricanes show, a tropical cyclone’s winds often tell us little about its real th...Satellite intensity estimates are rising this afternoon as the eye of Hurricane Michael cleans out. Dual channel outflow in place north and south of the storm. Here we go, folks. Michael will probably reach peak intensity in the next 12 hours, and make cat 3 in this evening. Category 4 not out of the question.
Written forecast out by 6:30p.
NHC director Ken Graham will provide a Facebook Live broadcast at 8:15 a.m. EDT (7:15 a.m. CDT) regarding Hurricane Michael.
We have long argued that Public Assistance under the Stafford Act is a much bigger problem than the National Flood Insurance Program.
www.nytimes.com/2018/10/08/us/fema-disaster-recovery-climate-change.html?action=click&module=Top%...
As Storms Keep Coming, FEMA Spends Billions in ‘Cycle’ of Damage and Repair
nytimes.com
FEMA has paid out billions for disaster recovery efforts. But many projects seem to be undertaken in defiance of climate change, leaving structures nearly as vulnerable as before.www.reuters.com/article/us-india-sandmining-water/as-sand-mining-grows-asias-deltas-are-sinking-w...
As sand mining grows, Asia’s deltas are sinking, water experts warn
reuters.com
STOCKHOLM (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Sand mining from rivers is depriving ma...www.washingtonpost.com/energy-environment/2018/10/03/climate-scientists-are-struggling-find-right...
Climate scientists are struggling to find the right words for very bad news
washingtonpost.com
A much-awaited report from the U.N.'s top climate science panel shows a dramatic gap between professed goals and where the planet currently stands.Despite the obvious flood risk for almost all coastal properties, local, elected officials seem committed to ignoring the need for flood insurance. Guess who gets stuck paying?
www.starfl.com/news/20180927/compromise-reached-on-flood-map-updates
Compromise reached on flood map updates
starfl.com
A week or so ago the Board of County Commissioners and officials with the Northwest Florida Water Management District seemed to be talkingSurfrider. Defenders of the beach.
www.mercurynews.com/2018/10/01/martins-beach-u-s-supreme-court-denies-appeal-of-billionaire-vinod...
Martins Beach: U.S. Supreme Court denies appeal of billionaire Vinod Khosla
mercurynews.com
It was a major victory for surfers and environmental groups as the court declined to hear the billionaire’s appeal of rulings forcing him to open the beach to the public.