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Before The Storm: How Hazards Impact Your Community

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On a Calm Day: Are there hidden hazards in your community?

It is a typical day in sun-drenched Florida. The sky is clear, a gentle breeze moves the salt air, the water sparkles in blues and greens, and waves lap gently on the shore. Tourists, restaurant and shop owners, mariners, fishermen, and coastal residents and farmers follow their routines.

Yet this scene could change quickly. A coastal storm could blow up at any time, especially during hurricane season. While everyone may know to stock up on food and water, and to expect power outages, other dangers are often unforeseen. How much do you know about hidden hazards associated with coastal storms?

Seeing the Bigger Picture: Why we are in this together

For example, did you ever think about where pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers go during a storm? Although household chemicals are relatively safe when used according to directions, they can become a potent cocktail, toxic to fish. Not only is this devastating in an ecological sense, but there are economic and social impacts as well. What about the fishermen dependent on the sea for their livelihood? What about the local fish markets dependent on the fishermen? What about residents and restaurants who need seafood? What about tourists who visit just to go sportfishing? A seemingly isolated fish kill can cause big economic, environmental, and social ripples. This is just one example of the hidden hazards associated with coastal storms.

Are there other hidden dangers in coastal communities? How do you determine what is at risk? What can be done to address these hazards? Preparation is the key, but waiting until a week before landfall is not enough time to implement meaningful storm mitigation measures. Identifying risks, analyzing vulnerabilities, and mitigating potential hazards takes time.

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