NOAA stated the Storm Surge near Burger King during Hurricane Andrew was about 16 feet but they also acknowledge the equipment measuring devices were destroyed by the hurricane, in areas nearby the surge was recorded at 8 to 10 feet.
As of September 30, 2005, official storm surge data for both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were still pending, but it’s likely that Katrina’s storm surge values will surpass that of Camille’s record 24.3 foot storm surge. Again, the tides gauges were destroyed during Katrina, making it difficult to get accurate storm surge estimates according to Stephen Baig, NOAA hurricane and storm surge expert at the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. They estimate the surge could have been as high as 30 feet. 28-30 feet Katrina (a strong category 3), 16 feet surge Andrew (category 5) --- Big difference for a coastal power plant built at close to sea level. Maybe the Herald should rethink their cheer-leader editorial today about Turkey Point's nuclear expansion:
The plant has already survived a direct hit from a Category 5 hurricane (Andrew, 1992) and the accompanying storm surge.
Herald: Andrew did not have a big storm surge for a Category 5 hurricane. Wilma had an 8 foot surge and it was only a category 3 hurricane. We were lucky with Andrew that the storm surge was minimal considering its size.
9 comments:
Is it your view that Turkey Point should be closed or that it should not be permitted to expand?
Not permitted to expand. If you guys living around there don't care about the existing plant...what can I say? I wouldn't live down South because of the proximity to the plant.
But an expansion -- that is where I draw the line.
I live down south only a few blocks from the bay and was smack dad in Andrew's path. The Storm surge was nowhere near 16 feet. if it had I would have drowned. Basic oceanography would tell you because of the the Barrier Islands such as Elliot and Sands Key combined with the general shallowness of southern Biscayne Bay storm surge (as well as tsunamis) are of little danger to Turkey Point.
Andrew was a once in a lifetime events. Only three Cat 5 Hurricanes have actually been recorded to have hit the US. It hit Turkey Point dead on. They went through the worse case scenario and nothing went wrong. So what is your problem?
Of course it doesn't matter to the anti-nuke/anti-business people that the problems with the current Japanese plant was because of faulty placement and design of the Backup power generators not the actual plant itself.
Like I said. I live 20 mins from Turkey Point and I see much more environmental damage from A-hole's who let their pet cats roam around and terrorize native fauna than from anything from the TP.
Maybe the radiation is getting to you...
I recall reading in the Herald that a 200 MPH Andrew gust cracked one of the smokestacks (or whatever Reddy Kilowatt calls them) so severely it had to be blown up and replaced.
How quickly they forget.
AnthonyVOP: What a cute screen name, Lynda!
Or is that you, Jenna?
Dear Bozo Anthony:
Some points about Hurricane Andrew:
1. It did not hit Turkey Point head on.
The north eye wall came in at Burger King and sliced across the county in such a way that the southern eye wall was deeper into homestead than the coast at the TP area. In fact, about half way on the 18 mile stretch, the trees were mowed down in such a way that it looked like the a lawn mower came through... one part was laid flat while the south side of the mow line was up. Key Largo was undamaged. And the storm came out the west coast into the gulf.
2. You didn't drown because you live further inland than you admit. Just east of Old Cutler Road at the Burger King property (at theoretical 180 street)is 16.9 feet above sea level storm surge mark. That point is approximately .6 miles off open water. The neighborhood directly to the south of 180th street had storm surge great enough that it flattened (pushed over) interior walls of houses and left people on top of their dining room tables trying to get out of water. Rushing water left a 3 foot stain on the interior walls in some places. Do the math. The house at the end of 181 Terrace on old cutler had water mark up to the second floor, the road elevation at the point is about 11 ft.
3. Andrew Storm Tide elevation for Turkey Point was 4.2 feet... lower than Homestead Bay Front park (6.7 feet); Elliot Key Visitors center (7.3); and Boca Chita (6.9) -- So it makes it difficult to access what 17 foot of water would do to Turkey Point.
4. Hurricane Andrew was a compact, dry fast moving storm. It didn't have very much time to gather and push water ahead of it.
NOAA Storm Surge Expert told me today:
We do not know the storm surge at Turkey Point during Andrew. You cannot assume it is the same as that at Burger King. Storm surge is different in all areas. There is no data on Turkey Point's storm surge during Andrew.
Andrew came in north of Turkey Point, so TPN took the clean side of the storm, and might have seen 5-6 feet of surge. NOAA's SLOSH model, imperfect as it is, shows that a strong storm making landfall SOUTH of Turkey Point could push 17 feet of water (+/- 20%) onto the TPN site. Add waves and wind.
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