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Fall 2018
image: Hurricane Florence from space.

Fall 2018

After the Storms: Lessons in Recovery and Resilience

A North Carolina continues to recover and assess immediate damages from Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael, community and individual needs are extensive. Long-term needs also will be a focus for years to come.

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More From Fall 2018

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For over four decades, Coastwatch has been publishing news about North Carolina Sea Grant’s research, outreach and educational initiatives — all of which is only possible with the support of readers like you.

Skyfall

When a hurricane like Florence strikes, onlookers may ask, “Who saw the worst damage?” But enduring a major storm is deeply personal. “If you’re a disaster victim and you’re affected, it’s the worst event for you,” says Jessica Whitehead, North Carolina Sea Grant’s coastal communities hazards adaptation specialist.
Satellite view of Hurricane Florence near Wrightsville Beach

A Slow-Motion Emergency

Florence originated where many hurricanes begin, off the west coast of Africa. In late August, an area of low pressure developed in easterly winds blowing off the continent. Near the Cape Verde Islands, the disturbance became a tropical depression — a cyclone with relatively weak winds. By Sept. 1 it had transformed into a tropical storm.

Wind Damage? Check Insurance Incentives When Making Repairs

Many coastal buildings are underprepared for wind and rain from hurricanes. As homeowners in North Carolina’s coastal region repair damage related to Florence and Michael, they should take note of insurance incentives to increase wind resistance by selecting construction options.

New NC Shellfish Initiative Aids in Florence Damage Assessments

Since Hurricane Florence, Riley and Weirich also have focused on business and job retention as they collaborate to document damage for the state’s mariculture industry, which has seen tremendous growth in recent years.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

North Carolina’s coast is a very sharky place. The fact that important shark habitat includes the state’s estuaries often surprises locals and visitors alike.

Into the Vortex with Frank López

Ten years ago. Frank López is about to go riding around on a metal-bottomed landing craft in the middle of a lightning storm on Apalachicola Bay in Florida. The lightning will not be the most dangerous part. Not by far.

Drones Deliver Data on Oyster Reef Health

Using aerial imagery from unoccupied aircraft systems, researchers can efficiently assess the condition of oyster reefs.
John Fear and Susan White working together at table

Coastal Connections: Adapting to Climate Change

The American Society of Adaptation Professionals has recognized John Fear, deputy director of North Carolina Sea Grant and the state’s Water Resources Research Institute, and Holly White, principal planner for the Town of Nags Head.
Senegalese fisherman launching pirpgues.

Last Word: Fisherman’s Blues

This fall, North Carolina Sea Grant co-sponsored “Radical Transformation of Our Seas: Stories from Fisherman’s Blues,” an event to explore global views of fishing and seafood. Author Anna Badkhen read from her new book, an intimate account of life in a West African fishing village. Ryan Speckman, co-founder of Locals Seafood in Raleigh, joined her to help compare experiences on the Atlantic's east and west coasts. Jane Harrison, North Carolina Sea Grant's coastal economics specialist, moderated the discussion.