Top 10 US Cities Most Vulnerable to Flooding by Storm Surge - Part 2
While flooding can happen anywhere, coastal areas obviously have a higher risk, with some areas subject to higher losses. Last week, we starting discussing US cities that are most vulnerable to storm surge flooding and why. Today, Big Bags USA® continues the topic with our second segment of the two-part series on the top US cities most vulnerable to flooding by storm surge.6. Galveston-Houston, Texas
A storm track with the radius of maximum winds positioned at the mouth of Galeveston Bay will cause the high waters to be channeled into the bay, thereby accentuating the water heights. This means it won't take much to cause storm surge in the area. Hurricane Ike was only a Category 2 hurricane when it made landfall in 2008, but it caused billions in flood damage. While Texas hasn't been hit by a Category 5 in the past 150 years, four Category 4 hurricanes have made landfall along the Texas coastline since 1900. The one in 1915 struck very close to Galveston and caused tremendous storm surge flooding. After the death of thousands during the 1900 event, the Galveston sea wall was built.
7. Sarasota, Florida
Like many of the cities along the west coast of Florida, Sarasota is also vulnerable to storm surge flooding for two reasons:
- The local water depth.
- The amount of property value at low elevation.
8. Charleston, South Carolina
Hurricane Hugo caused tremendous storm surge flooding on Sullivan's Island, the Isle of Palms, and in Charleston. However, due to Hugo's track being north of Charleston, the peak winds and storm surge were closer to the small town of McClellanville. A similar storm just 30 miles south of Charleston would cause much worse storm surge flooding in downtown Charleston and therefore much greater losses.
Other Vulnerable Cities
The storm surge loss potential is concentrated in relatively few coastal locations. After Charleston, the next largest losses are produced by storms impacting several smaller metropolitan areas along the East Coast. The 9th and 10th most vulnerable cities could include coastal areas of New Jersey and Delaware. As was seen with Superstorm Sandy, even a weak storm making landfall along the Mid-Atlantic coast can cover a large area and cause major losses due to storm surge flooding.
This study subjects every area with an equally likely event, providing a robust methodology for measuring the relative storm surge risk along the Gulf and East coasts of the US. Information as such makes catastrophe risk management easier, which is what Big Bags USA® is all about. We are here to help federal, state and local agencies be prepared for flooding such as this.
Our Flood Barriers
Big Bags USA® flood barriers provide lightening fast flood protection at a fraction of the cost. One five bag system can be placed and filled by two men in less than 10 minutes. That's equal to 15 lineal foot every ten minutes. There's no other sandbag deployment method that equals the speed in which Big Bags USA® barriers can be placed. If you live in any of these high risk areas, give us a call at 800-337-0537 today for more info about our protective flood barriers!
Source: http://www.karenclarkandco.com/news/publications/pdf/KCC_StormSurge_20150820.pdf
If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.
If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.
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