Coastal Storms Program

Because of the tremendous need to rebuild after the damaging effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Gulf of Mexico was established as the fourth region in 2007. The Gulf of Mexico projects were completed in 2012 and $2.74 million was invested towards these efforts. Although direct project funding has ended, coordination and evaluation continues in the region.

GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

The fourth project area covers the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, and all of coastal Louisiana.

PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

NOAA’s Coastal Storms Program, in conjunction with the NOAA Coastal Services Center’s Gulf Coast Services Center, Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant programs, and stakeholder input, informs local leaders on issues surrounding land-use redevelopment and how different decisions affect a community’s hazard resilience. This includes knowledge of what tools are available to assess and identify hazard and development impacts, how to use the tools, the work being conducted by various organizations, and expert points of contact.

KEY PARTNERS

Mississippi-Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida Sea Grant programs; Gulf of Mexico Alliance; Northern Gulf Institute; Gulf Coast Services Center; and other federal agencies.

PRODUCTS

The Gulf of Mexico project area effort worked to address the impacts of development choices in vulnerable coastal areas. This included the effort by federal, state, and local organizations to better map and identify hazards throughout the Gulf. The Coastal Storms Program focused on getting these tools to local and state decision makers and training them on how to best utilize these resources.