Coastal Change Hazards: Hurricanes and Extreme Storms

Hurricane Dennis

Hurricane Dennis. Image courtesy of WSI Corporation. [larger version]

Hurricane Dennis made landfall on Santa Rosa Island in the Florida Panhandle on July 10, 2005. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are cooperating in a research project investigating coastal change that occurred as a result of Hurricane Dennis.

Prior to hurricane landfall, topographic airborne laser surveys were completed to provide baseline maps of pre-storm barrier island morphology. Aerial video, still photography, and an additional lidar survey of post-storm beach conditions are being collected for comparison with earlier data. The comparisons will show the nature, magnitude, and spatial variability of coastal changes such as beach erosion and overwash deposition. These data will also be used to further refine predictive models of coastal impacts from severe storms. The data are being made available to local, state and federal agencies for purposes of disaster recovery and erosion mitigation.

Hurricane Dennis before and after photo sets are available online. See examples of extreme coastal change during Hurricane Dennis.

Hydrologic Impacts of Hurricane Dennis on the Florida Panhandle, July 9-14, 2005
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