Islands and How to Protect Them from Recent Weather

Changes

National HurricanHurricane Center

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Table of Content

Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................2
Intro to Islands.............................................................................................................................................3
Tropical Storms and Hurricanes...................................................................................................................4
How Hurricanes Affect Islands.....................................................................................................................5
Potential Solutions.......................................................................................................................................6
Closing.........................................................................................................................................................7
References...................................................................................................................................................7

Table of Figures

Figure 1 This figure shows the recent changes in weather patterns and outlines the increase of size and
amounts of storms (c2es.org)......................................................................................................................4
Figure 2 This Figure shows the destruction that hurricanes can cause to an Island (nytimes.com)............5

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Abstract

Islands are naturally formed areas of land, surrounded by water, which is above high tide. (Royle pg. 8).

These islands have been around since the beginning of the world and provide homes and food for

various different species of animals and plants. Throughout time Islands have also been settled upon by

humans and turned into their own colonies and eventually countries.

Unfortunately, over recent years the Islands have also become victims of many different problems.

Specifically with the increase in weather which comes from recent warming of the waters along with

rising tides. (epa.gov). These are factors which generate more frequent and stronger storms which

damage islands and leave some in complete destruction. This is a major issue because of the role

islands play in both humans' and other animals' lives. The destruction these storms cause often leaves

these islands uninhabitable and most creatures end up dying.

Although there is no way to entirely eliminate these problems as they are naturally occurring, there are

many ways we can prevent these storms from damaging these islands completely. (epa.gov). These

islands can be better prepared for these storms by restoring beach dunes and vegetation along with

stopping beach sand mining. (downtoearth.org.).

Intro to Islands

Islands are formed in various sizes and various unique formations, including continental, tidal, barrier,

oceanic, coral, and artificial types, each distinct in its characteristics such as shape, geographic location,

and origin. They exhibit a wide range of sizes and climates, serving as diverse habitats for numerous

species. Thus, each island stands as a one-of-a-kind entity, featuring distinctive arrangement and a

unique array of wildlife. (nationalgeographic.org). Migrating birds, fish, coral reefs, and many rare

species of animals are often inhabitants of islands. Over the last few centuries along Islands have

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become very important in human society. Islands provide homes for many cultures of people along with

different species of animals. Some of the most inhabited include Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Australia, and

JamaciaJamaica. These Islands are very important to the Earth because of the role they play in the

ecosystem.

Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

Hurricanes and Tropical Storms have been a naturally occurring aspect of islands since the beginning of

time. These storms can be defined as low-pressure systems with organized thunderstorm activity that

form over tropical or subtropical waters. Theyse storms are very dangerous as they have extremely high

winds and thunderstorms which cause mass destruction wherever they go. These Sstorms such as these

are formed with a mixture of warm water, moist air in the atmosphere, and changes in wind direction.

(noaa.gov). As of recent these storms have been occurring much more frequently with far more strength

than usual as seen in Figure 1.1. This can be attributed to warmer temperatures within the ocean along

the recent rise in sea level. This highly increases the likelihood of more frequent larger storms

occurring. This poses major threats to islands as many are not properly equipped to be able to survive

these high caliber storms. (c2es.org).

Figure 1Figure 1.1: This figure shows the recent changes in weather patterns and outlines the increase of size and amounts of
storms. (c2es.org).

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How Hurricanes Affect Islands
Hurricanes are major threats to Islands and often destroy all the island's protectors from other storms

on the natural and human sides of the islands. It has been known that hurricanes cut through barrier

islands and completely deform them. Barrier islands are crucial in the protection of islands due to their

ability to protect the mainland of islands. Barrier islands have beach dunes and grasses which absorb

wave energy before the wave hit the mainland. This generally makes a smaller storm surge and less

flooding on the coast.(noaa.gov). But over time or after being hit hard barrier islands can be destroyed.

This can cause major problems for islands as barrier islands protect the islands. Hurricane force winds

average around 74 mph (noaa.gov) which is strong enough to fully uproot trees, destroy the mangroves,

and flood the lands with salt water. All of this along with the saltwater leaves the land on the island in

utter destruction with infertile soil in which nothing can survive or grow. (hurricanescience.org). Thus,

protecting the barrier islands is very important.

For humans these hurricanes can cause major damage to buildings and any infrastructure around them.

Floods and hurricane force winds leave the roads flooded and impossible to navigate. Ultimately leaving

anyone left behind to be swallowed by the storm. Without proper notice or preparation hurricanes can

be devastating to islands and can ruin them entirely. This can be As seen in Figure 1.2.

Figure 2Figure 1.2: This Figure shows the destruction that hurricanes can cause to an Island. (nytimes.com).

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Potential Solutions

Although there is no known way to prevent hurricanes from happening, there are many different

measures that can be used to help protect the islands and better equip them to combat the storms. The

best way to combat these storms is to help with barrier island restoration projects. But other ways can

include beach restoration projects, lifting houses, and providing teams of people who are ready to help

respond to the situations.

The most important solution to limiting hurricane damage is by making sure barrier islands are properly

equipped to withstand these storms. For example, the Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration Project is a

current project with the goal of restoring the barrier islands of Louisiana. Their major focus is to plant

more mangroves, restore beach dunes by adding more beach sand back, and creating more habitats for

animals. More projects like these can provide major assistance to islands to help keep their ecosystems

healthy and active. (restoreorretreat.org).

For those who may live on islands lifting the houses and buildings is a good way to combat the flooding

and keep the architecture intact. Other ways to combat the flooding include sandbags and boarding up

windows. But these are not always possible on short notice so having a team of people ready to assist is

the most reliable way of combatting these storms to protect society on these islands.

Closing

Hurricanes pose a major threat to one of the most unique and special ecosystems in the world. With

the rising water temperatures and sea level rise the threat of hurricanes destroying islands is at an all-

time high. Because they often house many kinds of people and species of animals. Learning how to

better Islands are all over the world and a very crucial part of the world's ecosystem we can help protect

and better equip these islands for these storms.

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References
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in Atlantic.” MarketWatch, MarketWatch, 7 Sept. 2017,
www.marketwatch.com/story/potentially-catastrophic-hurricane-irma-makes-landfall-in-the-
caribbean-2017-09-06.

Lew, Josh. “10 Uniquely Shaped Islands.” Treehugger, Treehugger, 7 Apr. 2021,
www.treehugger.com/uniquely-shaped-islands-4869203.

Royle, Stephen A. Islands - Nature and Culture. Reaktion Books, 2014.

“Climate Impacts in the U.S. Islands.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 30 Sept. 2016,
www.19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-us-islands_.html .

“Protecting the Islands from Environmental Disasters.” Protecting the Islands from Environmental
Disasters | Down to Earth Organic and Natural,
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“Island.” Education, education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/island/. Accessed 9 Nov. 2023.

“Hurricanes and Climate Change.” Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, 14 July 2023,
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%20temperatures%20intensify,of%20smaller%20hurricanes%20has%20decreased.

Hurricanes | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, www.noaa.gov/education/resource-

collections/weather-atmosphere/hurricanes. Accessed 9 Nov. 2023.

[Null]. “Terrestrial Impacts.” Hurricanes,

hurricanescience.org/society/impacts/environmentalimpacts/terrestrialimpacts/#:~:text=As
%20the%20outermost%20land%20exposed,have%20been%20formed%20during%20hurricanes.
Accessed 9 Nov. 2023.

Philbrick, Ian Prasad, and Ashley Wu. “Population Growth Is Making Hurricanes More Expensive.” The
New York Times, The New York Times, 2 Dec. 2022, www.nytimes.com/2022/12/02/briefing/why-
hurricanes-cost-more.html.

“Barrier Island Restoration.” Restore or Retreat, Inc., restoreorretreat.org/solutions/barrier-island-

restoration/. Accessed 9 Nov. 2023.