Category Archives: Adverse Weather
Hurricane Harvey Disaster Response
Texas has been pummeled by Hurricane Harvey with winds well in excess of category three strength. Today, Harvey continues to dump rain over Texas while many federal and local response teams operate 24/7 to reach people stranded in flooded areas. FEMA deployed 500 Urban Search and Rescue personnel, and another Continue reading Hurricane Harvey Disaster Response
Barrier Islands Renourishment Project
Another renourishment project is scheduled to begin in the coming months along a large portion of the Pinellas County beaches. The project which is anticipated to cost 31.8 million dollars, funded jointly by the county, the state, and federal government, is likely to be awarded Continue reading Barrier Islands Renourishment Project
Small Scale Cyclones: The Rare Waterspout and Tornado
Dangerous weather events are not exactly commonplace along the gulf coast. You may come across a story of a tornado that caused mild damage to something already predisposed to damage, but it’s not usually severe. The more common waterspout is usually over water, typically dissipating in shallow water. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any damage caused by a waterspout in all my life living near the water. These systems are only minor threats to coastal communities. They’re really more like exciting phenomenon for your viewing pleasure than any type of real threat. Continue reading Small Scale Cyclones: The Rare Waterspout and Tornado
Cold Front Rain Bands
Cold front rain bands are moving through the area. The conditions are kind of nasty right now, choppy, windy, and small. The swell is solidly from the west. Because it is so small, beach-breaks are probably working better. The swell is noticeably getting better as I write this. Warm air is being scooped up into the atmosphere by the cold air. This is causing these strong bands of rain. The tide turned about two hours ago. If you get any cool pictures, send them in. Continue reading Cold Front Rain Bands
Matthew Carnage
Dalton Smith and Corey Howell went for a cruise along the east coast of Florida to explore carnage left after Hurricane Matthew wreaked havoc along the coast. Trees were uprooted, railroad structures were damaged, streets were flooded, and property was damaged. This is what happens when a category three storm with maximum sustained winds around 120 miles per hour brushes the coast. Continue reading Matthew Carnage
Wastewater Triggered Red Tide (K. brevis)
Red tide is engulfing the coastline after a nasty wastewater spill may have triggered an intense algal bloom. Hurricane Hermine made landfall on the northern gulf coast of Florida on September second. The repeated bouts of rain put many of the aging sewage systems into overload. Even with sewage plants purging water pre-storm, the sewage systems became overloaded. Wastewater was lost into Tampa Bay, wastewater that was quickly washed into the gulf. Wastewater can be a trigger for the naturally occurring Red Tide (K. brevis) blooms. Continue reading Wastewater Triggered Red Tide (K. brevis)