Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 84 pages. / Thesis (M.S.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: Hurricane hazards result from the combined processes of wind, waves, storm surge, and overwash (Lennon et al., 1996). Predicting the severity of these hazards requires immense effort to quantify the processes and then predict how different coastal regions respond to them. A somewhat simpler, but no less daunting task is to begin to predict the hazards due to potential erosion of barrier islands. A four-part scale has been developed by Sallenger (2000) to provide a framework for understanding how barrier islands might respond during extreme storm events. These four regimes describe how beach and dune elevations interact with surge and wave runup. This study will produce estimates of potential hazards through combining lidar surveys of dune elevation with modeled elevations of storm water levels. Direct measurements of maximum wave heights during hurricanes are rare. / ABSTRACT: We evaluated three simple equations proposed by Kjerfve (1986), Young (1988), and Hsu (1998) to forecast the maximum wave height (Hmax) generated by three 1999 hurricanes. Model results were compared to wave data recorded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) wave rider buoys. The radius of maximum winds, wind speed, forward velocity, distance from buoy to the storm's eye-wall (r), and buoy's position relative to the quadrant of the storm (Q) were found to have significant and direct roles in evaluating recorded hurricane induced wave heights (H) and thus, were individually examined for each comparison. The implications of the r and Q on H were assessed when determining the overall effectiveness of the modelers' equations. Linear regression analyses tested the accuracy of each modeled prediction of the Hmax, comparing it to the observed wave heights. Three statistical criteria were used to quantify model performance. / ABSTRACT: Hsu's model was the most reliable and useful forecasting technique. Despite the predictive skill of Hsu's model, direct observations of the maximum wave conditions, when available and appropriate, are preferred as inputs for SWAN, a 3rd generation shoaling wave model. Outputs from SWAN are used to calculate the empirical relationships for wave runup. For our test case, pre and post-storm topographies were surveyed as part of a joint USGS-NASA program using lidar technology. These data sets were used to calculate changes in the elevation and location of the dune crest (Dhigh) and dune base (Dlow) for the North Carolina Outer Banks. We hindcast potential coastal hazards (erosional hot spots) using the pre-storm morphology and modeled wave runup and compare those estimates to the measured results from the post-storm survey. / ABSTRACT: Links among the existing topography and spatial variations in wave runup were found to be 95% correlated for the north-south and east-west facing barrier islands. Application of Sallenger's (2000) four-part Storm Impact Scale to the pre-storm Dhigh elevation survey and wave runup extremes (Rhigh and Rlow) were found to accurately predict zones of overwash and showed potential to forecast the inundation regime. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

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Thesis (M. of Military Art and Science)--U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 2007. / "A thesis presented to the Faculty of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Military Art and Science, General Studies." Title from cover page of PDF file (viewed: May 29, 2008).

This dissertation examines the quality of hazard mitigation elements in a coastal, hazard prone state. I answer two questions. First, in a state with a strong mandate for hazard mitigation elements in comprehensive plans, does plan quality differ among county governments? Second, if such variation exists, what drives this variation? My research focuses primarily on Florida’s 35 coastal counties, which are all at risk for hurricane and flood hazards, and all fall under Florida’s mandate to have a comprehensive plan that includes a hazard mitigation element. Research methods included document review to rate the hazard mitigation elements of all 35 coastal county plans and subsequent analysis against demographic and hazard history factors. Following this, I conducted an electronic, nationwide survey of planning professionals and academics, informed by interviews of planning leaders in Florida counties. I found that hazard mitigation element quality varied widely among the 35 Florida coastal counties, but were close to a normal distribution. No plans were of exceptionally high quality. Overall, historical hazard effects did not correlate with hazard mitigation element quality, but some demographic variables that are associated with urban populations did. The variance in hazard mitigation element quality indicates that while state law may mandate, and even prescribe, hazard mitigation in local comprehensive plans, not all plans will result in equal, or even adequate, protection for people. Furthermore, the mixed correlations with demographic variables representing social and disaster vulnerability shows that, at least at the county level, vulnerability to hazards does not have a strong effect on hazard mitigation element quality. From a theory perspective, my research is significant because it compares assumptions about vulnerability based on hazard history and demographics to plan quality. The only vulnerability-related variables that appeared to correlate, and at that mildly so, with hazard mitigation element quality, were those typically representing more urban areas. In terms of the theory of Neo-Institutionalism and theories related to learning organizations, my research shows that planning departments appear to have set norms and rules of operating that preclude both significant public involvement and learning from prior hazard events.

Abstract Not Available.

This study uses the storm surge sediment beds deposited by Hurricanes Audrey (1957), Carla (1961), Rita (2005) and Ike (2008) to investigate spatial and temporal changes in sedimentation rates on the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge in Southeast Texas. Fourteen sediment cores were collected along a transect extending from 90 to 1230 meters inland from the Gulf Coast. Storm-surge-deposited sediment beds were identified by texture, organic content, carbonate content, the presence of marine microfossils, and Cesium-137 dating. The hurricane-derived sediment beds are marker horizons that facilitate assessment of marsh sedimentation rates from nearshore to inland locations as well as over decadal to annual timescales. Near the shore, on a Hurricane Ike washover fan, where hurricane-derived sedimentation has increased elevation by up to 0.68 m since 2005, there was no measurable marsh sedimentation in the period 2008-2014. Farther inland, at lower elevations, sedimentation for the period 2008-2014 averaged 0.36 cm per year. The reduction in sedimentation in the period 2008-2014 on the nearshore part of the marsh is likely due to reduced flooding in response to increased elevation from hurricane storm surge sediment deposition. These results provide valuable knowledge about the sedimentary response of coastal marshes subject to storm surge deposition and useful guidance to public policy aimed at combating the effects of sea level rise on coastal marshes along the Gulf of Mexico.

This thesis investigates the impact of climate refugees on the real estate market in coastal Louisiana and methods to mitigate entry barriers in safer markets. Utilizing a mix-methods approach, including quantitative analysis of socio-economic indicators from 2005 to 2023 and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders, the research reveals significant disparities in property values and housing trends between coastal and inland regions. The findings suggest that frequent climate disasters may be a significant factor that has led to declining property values and increased financial instability in affected areas. These results underscore the need for targeted policy interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on vulnerable communities. / Denna avhandling undersöker klimatflyktingars inverkan på fastighetsmarknaden i kustnära Louisiana och metoder för att mildra inträdesbarriärer på säkrare marknader. Genom att använda en blandad metod, inklusive kvantitativ analys av socioekonomiska indikatorer från 2005 till 2023 och kvalitativa intervjuer med viktiga intressenter, visar forskningen betydande skillnader i fastighetsvärden och bostadstrender mellan kust- och inlandsregioner. Resultaten tyder på att täta klimatkatastrofer kan vara en betydande faktor som har lett till sjunkande fastighetsvärden och ökad finansiell instabilitet i drabbade områden. Dessa resultat understryker behovet av riktade politiska insatser för att mildra de negativa effekterna av klimatförändringar på utsatta samhällen.