In light of the approaching Hurricane Dorian and the potential of causing extensive flooding and erosion along the Carolina and Georgia coasts, scientists from the US Geological Survey are in a hurry to install a minimum of 150 storm-tide sensors that will help them closely monitor the hurricane’s effects.
Specifically, for the time being the US Geological Survey has installed 55 storm-tide sensors in Georgia and another 158 in Florida.
The weather forecasts have already alerted the citizens of these areas to evacuate, informing that the hurricane is likely to hit all of Georgia’s and South Carolina’s beaches, on about 60% of North Carolina’s beaches and on 85% of Florida’s beaches.
Research oceanographer Kara Doran, leader of the USGS Coastal Change Hazards Storm Team commented
Our coastal change forecast is for Dorian to cause long-lasting and widespread erosion of dunes from Florida through the Carolinas. When hurricanes move slowly and remain at sea for long periods of time, they tend to build up large storm waves.
She continued that these waves can result to erosion prior to the storm and impact shorelines that are far from the centre of the storm. In the meantime, Hurricane Dorian moves slowly, meaning that it will lead to high surge and strong waves for a period of days.
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According to the US Geological Survey’s statement, the dune erosion is the first effect of the hurricane, meaning that waves and surge will reach higher than the tops of dunes, overwash can occur, often transporting large amounts of sand across coastal environments – including roads, depositing sand inland and causing significant changes to the landscape.
Overwash is predicted as very likely, with:
59% of Georgia dunes
57% of Florida dunes
9% of North Carolina dunes.
The installed storm tide sensors enable the US Atlantic and Gulf coasts to record the water level and barometric pressure every 30 seconds to document storm surge crests, or waves of water, as they make landfall.
If Hurricane Dorian, which as of Monday morning was a Category 5 storm, stays on the course forecast by the National Hurricane Center, coastal change from the storm is likely to be most severe along Georgia and South Carolina coastlines where storm surges are projected to reach 6-10 feet
… highlights the US Geological Survey scientists.
In the meantime, the American Club issued an alert, informing that vessels trading in regions affected by these extreme weather events will also face additional physical risks and informed seafarers to be extra cautious.
Whereas, at least five people were killed as the Hurricane Dorian pounded the Bahamas on Monday, September 2. The hurricane has weakened slightly and is now a Category 4 storm as it continues to spin over the Bahamas.