Emergency Preparedness & Long Term Planning

Essentially there are two major options when approaching the management of human activities in regard to coastal erosion, coastal forces can be resisted using seawalls and coastal works, or settlements can be moved away from the hazard zone. (Beatley). Cornelia Dean states, for practical purposes, there is no erosion problem where there are no buildings (Dean 1999, p16). The beaches naturally flux, eroding and accreting alternately. The problem occurs because humans want them to be stable, habitable environments. The only relevant, long-term option to solve this problem is the landward retreat of development along the entirety of the coast. Basic tenets of this proposal would include state and local setback restrictions, limitations on rebuilding following major storm events, and supporting strategies to aid landward relocation. Such suggestions are not taken well by the many shore lovers of America who prefer sandbagging and seawalls to settling away from the coast. However, if landward retreat was enacted, many options would still be available for the use of coastal systems as parks for recreation areas.

For complete emergency preparedness information, including individual state and local emergency agencies, evacuation and survival strategies, and additional emergency aid resources please visit the following link to FEMA’s site:

http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html