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Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies > Coastal Change Hazards: Hurricanes and Extreme Storms

Coastal Change Hazards: Hurricanes and Extreme Storms

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Coastal Change Hazards
Assessing Coastal Vulnerability to Extreme Storms:
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Storm-Induced Coastal Change
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graph showing dune erosion in Rodanthe, North Carolina resulting from Hurricane Isabel Figure 1. Dune erosion in Rodanthe, NC resulting from Hurricane Isabel's 2003 landfall. The elevation of the dune decreased by almost a meter. [larger version]
dune erosion in Nags Head Figure 2. High storm surge and wave runup during Hurricane Isabel (2003) caused widespread dune erosion in Nags Head, NC. [larger version]

Storm-Induced Coastal Change

Dune Erosion

overwash (Figure 2). The eroded sediment is carried offshore and stored in large sandbars. The sand dune can recover over a period of years, gaining in elevation and volume through deposits of wind-blown sand. Because dunes rebuild over a long period, many coastal counties choose to build temporary dunes following a large storm.

return to Coastal Change Overview | continue to Overwash

Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies > Coastal Change Hazards: Hurricanes and Extreme Storms

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