Edisto’s Storm Surge Risk Understanding the Importance of Evacuating for Hurricanes Hi, I’m Abi Locatis Prochaska, an Edisto Island resident and board member with the Edisto Island Community Association. Through our work with the ACE Basin Coastal Training Program, we developed this video to help Edisto residents understand storm surge risk and the importance of evacuating for hurricanes. 1
Edisto is at high risk for se severe hurric hurricane im impacts every year from June – November. STORM SURGE HIGH WINDS TORNADOES HEAVY RAIN Edisto is at high risk for severe hurricane impacts every year from June ‐ November. These impacts include storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and heavy rains that can cause flooding. 2
Hurricane impacts can extend for hundreds of miles along the coast, as shown by the red and blue warnings along the coastline. Hurricane impacts can also be felt hundreds of miles inland, and a storm does not have to make landfall to be dangerous. 3
Water is what kills during hurricanes. 49% of hurricane ‐ related deaths are due to storm surge. (National Hurricane Center, Rappaport 2014) 4
Storm surge is the rise in seawater level during a storm, measured as the height of the water above the normal predicted tide. The surge is caused primarily by a storm’s winds pushing water onshore. How high the surge will be is dependent on multiple factors, including wind speed, the size of the storm and the direction the storm is moving. 5
Evacuation orders often depend on storm surge predictions. Evacuation orders often depend on storm surge predictions. 6
Large areas covered with deep water due to storm surge flooding Storm surge Structural damage to buildings with some washing away impacts can be severe and Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period widespread. Large sections of road washed out or severely flooding Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks and piers This is because storm surge impacts can be severe and widespread. Large areas become covered with deep water. This can cause structural damage to buildings, with some washing away. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. Large sections of roads may be washed out or severely flooded. Storm surge can also cause major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks and piers. 7
Edisto Island has a high risk of being flooded by storm surge, so it is important to evacuate when ordered by the Governor. Edisto Island has a high risk of being flooded by storm surge, so it is important to evacuate when ordered by the Governor. 8
Jane Edwards Elementary School Areas Prone to Inundation During Category 1 Hurricane I’ve created some maps to illustrate Edisto’s storm surge risk using the National Storm Surge Hazard Maps. Jane Edwards Elementary School is depicted by the purple star. This map shows areas prone to storm surge inundation during a hypothetical, near ‐ worst case category 1 hurricane. If a category one hurricane were directly approaching Edisto during high tide, we would expect to see storm surge flooding in all the colored areas. http://noaa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=d9ed7904dbec44 1a9c4dd7b277935fad&entry=1 9
Jane Edwards Elementary School Areas Prone to Inundation During Category 2 Hurricane As storm category increases from 1 to 2, storm surge vulnerability increases, bringing deeper water in more places. You may be looking for your home’s location, and it may or may not be in the highest risk area. I encourage you to think about the flooding risk to highway 174 and other roads, especially low ‐ lying ones like Point of Pines and Russell Creek Road. 10
Jane Edwards Elementary School Areas Prone to Inundation During Category 3 Hurricane For a category 3, even more areas are at risk for deep storm surge inundation. Many roads and buildings would be flooded in this scenario The red areas, flooding greater than 9 feet above ground, continue to increase for Categories 4 and 5. You may be thinking “the water’s never been that high before!” It’s important to remember that even though you haven’t experienced something, that does not mean it cannot happen. This storm surge inundation risk is real, and the reason Edisto residents should evacuate when an order is given. 11
If there is a storm approaching, the National Hurricane Center will provide storm surge forecasts. www.nhc.noaa.gov If there is a storm approaching, the National Hurricane Center will provide storm surge forecasts for that storm . They are updated regularly during a storm. 12
Is your home or evacuation route at risk for flooding during a hurricane? HOUSE DRIVEWAY ROUTE TO 174 HIGHWAY 174 Think about your house, yard, driveway, road to 174 and highway174. Where are the lowest points, close to creeks and marshes? It is possible that one or more of these areas would be flooded by storm surge during any hurricane that approached Edisto Island. 13
HOUSE DRIVEWAY ROUTE TO 174 HIGHWAY 174 If you do not evacuate, flooding ooding at at an any of of these these pl places aces co coul uld be be dang danger erous ous to to yo your sa safety ty and and pr preven ent yo you fr from get getting help help in the case of an emergency. 14
It is dangerous to drive on flooded roads. Just 12 inches of water is enough to carry away a small car. If the water is over 18 – 24 inches, emergency vehicles may be unable to come out to rescue you. 15
Edisto’s high storm surge risk means it is important to evacuate when ordered by the Governor. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Edisto’s high storm surge risk means it is important to evacuation when ordered by the Governor. 16
Do you have an evacuation plan? Watch our video “E “Edis disto Hu Hurric rricane Evacua acuation ion Basi Basics” cs” to learn more. Do you have an evacuation plan? Watch our video “Edisto Hurricane Evacuation Basics” to learn more. 17
Reach out to the Edisto Island Community Association if you have questions or need assistance accessing hurricane preparedness resources. 843 ‐ 212 ‐ 7027 https://eicasc.wordpress.com/ The video is available on our website. Reach out to the Edisto Island Community Association if you have questions or need assistance accessing hurricane preparedness resources. Have a safe hurricane season. 18
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