Erosion was one of the effects of Hurricane Katrina that received the most attention in 2005. There was also many comments made against wetland damage, insufficient storm defenses, or flood control plans, and poor dike construction and maintenance. Global warming will worsen these problems through rising sea levels and more frequent, stronger storms. Current efforts to restore shorelines and rebuild infrastructures are a waste of money and damage ecosystems.Since Hurricane Camille in 1969 the buildings destroyed were replaced with high-wind building code infrastructures. But these buildings were only built to withstand 120 mph winds. The same scene of debris and concrete pads are all that was present after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The extent of damage inland were the same, if not surpassed, that of Hurricane Camille. Katrina was a major event, but for those who worked with the coastal science committee know that it has happened before and will happen again.
There is also Dauphin Island in Alabama, that has a worst record for reoccuring destruction than Mississippi coast. On the 15 mile long island, Katrina destroyed 150 homes even though it wasnt near the storm's dangerous center. The residence of the island have since moved inland because of the storm's damage and the rising sea level. Dauphin Island has had many severe storms and has been repeatedly rebuilt: Hurricane Frederic (1979), Danny (1997), Georges (1998), and Ivan (2004). This frightening record should be enough to discourage intense future development. Dauphin Island is a classic example of a location that should not have been developed or rebuilt multiple times.
Coastal population have soared along with construction, big cottages rebuild small ones and high rises replace big cottages. City mayors indicate that Hurricanes are "good" for cities in the case of urban renewal. Post storm properties increase without the thought of rising sea levels or future more intense storms.The National Shore and Beach Preservation Association (NSBPA) primary goal of beach nourishment is to save lives and properties. The sad truth is that coastal development destroyed beaches and created risks in the first place. Removing the oceanfront development the beaches will restore themselves. The beach replenishment project does nave negative impact on the environment such as killing all organisms and near-shore ecosystem when pumping sand to an area.
Irresponsible development of vulnerable coastal areas is costing the federal taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars. Many researches suggest that a rise in sea surface temperatures (from Global warming) will increase storm severity and longer duration. Also we have seen a rise in the number of storms which means the future of costal properties does not look desirable. There are several obstacles to prevent rebuilding:
1. The ones who are considering to prevent everyone from rebuilding are considered insensitive. They are simply advocating that the federal government should use the rebuilding dollars more wisely.
2. Those who abandon communities are viewed as defeated but this is insanity. Dauphin Island is a sandbar therefore rebuilding is irresponsible and risk taking.
3. The US cannot continue to support those who want to live and work on the coast. It is not simply an environmental issue, this is an issue of fairness.
4. If you want to live in high risks areas you pay.
Although difficult to decide which communities should be abandoned we have the knowledge and the data to identify which areas we should pull government support from.
The project to restore Louisiana's coastal wetlands and delta barrier islands is likely not a good idea. The 14-15 billion project is thought to do little to mitigate storm impact. If there is such a high amount of money, all the US wetlands should be looked at and the funds should be spent where the rate of success is more likely.
Hurricane Katrina's impact should bring an opportunity to rethink the national coastal policy.
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