Title: Coast watch
Identifier: coastwatch00uncs_2 (find matches)
Year: 1979 (1970s)
Authors: UNC Sea Grant College Program
Subjects: Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology
Publisher: (Raleigh, N. C. : UNC Sea Grant College Program)
Contributing Library: State Library of North Carolina
Digitizing Sponsor: North Carolina Digital Heritage Center

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A PROFILE OF Destruction Hurricanes pose a greater threat to coastal North Caro- hna today than ever before. No more intense or more frequent than 20 years ago, hurricanes simply have more homes, condominiums and buildings to slam into. Billions of dollars in real estate stand vulnerable. Each new house or condominium makes the stakes higher. Even a mild hurricane such as Diana in 1984 caused over $70 million in damages. This month, Coastwatch wants to help coastal home- owners reduce the risks from hurricanes. This issue examines storm-resistant building techniques and build- ing code standards for coastal construction. But no home can be made hurricane-proof. That's why you should heed warnings to evacuate. Do what you can to reinforce your home. But leave your house to fend for itself when a hurricane ap- proaches. Here's what your house will be up against. The winds. The very definition of a hurricane says the winds exceed 74 mph. Researchers say the ratio of wind speed to damage goes like this: At 50 mph, minor wind damage can occur. When winds exceed 80 mph, expect the loss of windows, shingles and gutters. At velocities over 100 mph, entire roofs and other structural elements are susceptible to damage. But even more important, hurricane winds can launch a destructive barrage of missiles—lawn chairs, signs, roofing and metal siding. The storm surge. It is the rise in water level that occurs as the hurricane moves onshore. It does not include the waves that ride atop it. This dome of water, which can exceed 15 feet, is a hurricane's most destructive force. The surge can undermine houses by scouring away sand. And it can tug and pull at walls, piHngs and founda- tions, causing them to collapse. The waves. Hurricane waves can reach 35 to 40 feet in height. But that's only half of it. Water weighs about 1,700 pounds per cubic yard. Throw that weight against a building over and over, and you have a nature-made hammer that can demolish any structure not specifically designed to withstand such force. Add them up—winds, waves and storm surge—for a destructive combination called hurricane.

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