Facing Stronger for Longer Hurricanes

December 7, 2020 by gibson Leave a Comment

In a recent study conducted by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University, researchers have concluded that hurricanes are staying “stronger for longer after hitting land.” Coastal property owners should take notice, as this can equate to more danger and property damage. Damage from a hurricane can happen a few different ways.

Hurricane Damage from Stronger Storm Surges

The rising water pushed toward the shore by forceful hurricane winds is called a storm surge. It can be a greater threat to human life – even more so than the powerful winds. And the crashing waves can cause severe damage to property, damaging boats, docks, and even buildings. With hurricanes staying stronger for longer, storm surges have the potential to become more violent, may cause water levels to rise and cause more damage.

Land Erosion and Land Loss Caused by Hurricanes

Hurricanes also cause damage via delivering torrential rains to an area. These severe rainstorms can cause rivers to flood, eroding the soil from the riverbanks. And torrential rains can create mudslides, leading to land loss and property damage. For example, scientists estimate that the amount of land lost due to hurricanes Katrina and Rita was approximately 73 square miles.

Seawalls and Retaining Walls Can Help Protect from Stronger for Longer Hurricanes

As of yet there is no way to stop a hurricane, but property owners can take steps to protect their land by investing in a seawall or retaining wall. They can serve as the first line of defense to protect property and help curb some of the damage caused by hurricanes. As hurricanes get stronger for longer, even property owners who have never considered a seawall or retaining may want to revisit the topic.

If you’re thinking about investing in a seawall or retaining wall, talk to our marine construction experts at Gibson Marine Construction. We’d be happy to discuss the benefits and how to best protect your property from hurricane damage caused by stronger for longer hurricanes. Contact Gibson Marine Construction today to learn more.

The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season

September 30, 2020 by gibson Leave a Comment

Usually, by the time hay bales become standard décor, corn fields turn into mazes, and every other billboard displays an ad for a haunted house – we can count on the Atlantic hurricane season to begin winding down. But there hasn’t been much that has been “usual” about this year (not to mention the COVID-19 pandemic too)!

An Active, Above Average Hurricane Season

Even before the hurricane season began, experts were predicting an active hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service predicted a 60% chance of an above-normal hurricane season. An average hurricane season typically produces around 12 named storms. And an above average season is predicted to produce 13-19 named storms, 6-10 of which become hurricanes, and 3-6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5 storms).

A Record Breaking Hurricane Season in 2020

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has blown past predictions – making it one of the most active hurricane seasons in recent history (since the current high-activity era began in 1995).

On Tuesday, September 22, 2020 – summer officially ended, and the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season broke its biggest record yet. This year (2020) had the highest number of named storms (23) ever recorded in a season through the end of summer. That’s 6 more than the previous record of 17 named storms in 2005. It’s also only the second time in history (2005 was the first time) the National Hurricane Center (NHC) ran out of names and had to resort to using Greek letters to continue to name storms.

More records broken this (2020) hurricane season include:

The first record of the 2020 hurricane season was broken on June 2, 2020 when Tropical Storm Cristobal developed, making Cristobal the earliest forming “C” named storm of any season. This was 3 days earlier than the previous record on file, held by Tropical Storm Colin (2016).
And, more named storms, designated by specific alphabet “letters” have formed earlier this year than ever before. By the end of summer, 23 storms had already been named, with 20 of those storms now having the earliest formation date on record for their specific storm “letter”. Arthur, Bertha and Dolly are the exceptions.
Plus, September is the season’s busiest month. September 2020 saw 10 named storms, a new record for the most named storms formed during a single month. The previous record was 8 storms which occurred in 2002, 2007, and 2010.

The 2020 hurricane season has tied a couple records too. Including:

A long-standing record – the record for the most named storms to form in a single day. An exceedingly rare occurrence, this has only happened twice since the hurricane center began keeping reliable records in 1851. The first documented occurrence was on August 15, 1893. Three generically named storms, numbered as 4, 5, and 6 all formed on the very same day. Then, it happened again recently, on September 18, 2020. Tropical Storm Wilfred, Subtropical Storm Alpha and Tropical Storm Beta all formed on the same day tying the record for the most.
When Tropical Storm Beta made landfall on September 22, 2020 as the 9th named storm to make landfall in the contiguous United States in one season, it tied the previous 1916 Atlantic hurricane season record. But there is still plenty of time left; the 2020 hurricane season could likely end up overtaking this record too.

Florida Seawall Inspection and Seawall Repair Services

Tampa area residents and the communities along Florida’s west coast have been truly fortunate this hurricane season. Most storms have been heading up the eastern seaboard, and those entering the Gulf of Mexico have been making landfall farther west.

But just because your seawall hasn’t suffered a direct hit from a hurricane or heavy tropical storms this year, doesn’t mean you can forgo the annual seawall inspection and/or repair process. With such an active hurricane season, there may still be damage; it just may be less obvious to the naked eye. Our Florida Certified Contractors at Gibson Marine Construction offer seawall construction, inspection, and repair services. Let our trusted team of marine construction experts help keep your seawall safe and functioning properly. Call or complete the contact form to learn more.

Hurricane Dorian

August 29, 2019 by gibson Leave a Comment

Residents of Florida: Prepare for Hurricane Dorian.

Forecasters are warning that the storm is already “a dangerous Category 3 hurricane, defined as sustained winds of at least 111 mph.” And it will be near or even possibly make landfall over the Florida peninsula just in time for the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 26 counties in the possible path of the hurricane.

You can view the State of Florida Executive Order #19-189 here. It only takes one hurricane or tropical storm to cause damage, destruction, and/or devastation. The team at Gibson Marine Construction hopes that everyone properly prepares for the hurricane, as best possible, and urges people to follow the government’s safety, preparedness, and/or evacuation recommendations. For tips on establishing an emergency plan for your family or how to prepare your property for a hurricane, please check out our 2019 Hurricane Season article here.

2018 Hurricane Season: Make an Emergency Plan

May 29, 2018 by gibson Leave a Comment

Preparing for the 2018 Hurricane Season: How to Make an Emergency Plan

Forecastors at the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project (CSU), a leading authority on the topic are predicting another busy hurricane season – slightly above historical averages. Prepare for the 2018 hurricane season by making an emergency plan.

There are four key components to an emergency plan. These include:

Determine how to stay updated on the latest emergency alerts and warnings.
Prepare a shelter plan – Create an in-home shelter plan and an off-site shelter plan.
Map out the best evacuation route so you can leave quickly should you need to.
Make a family/household communication plan.

Stay Updated on the Latest Emergency Alerts and Warnings

Hurricane-related Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are sent by state and local public safety officials, the National Weather Service, or even the President of the United States. WEAs look similar to text messages on your cell phone but usually have a unique sound and vibration, repeated twice. They are usually short messages and will include: the type and time of the alert, instructions on any action you should take, and which agency issued the alert.

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system. During an emergency it broadcasts alerts via satellite providers, cable television systems, etc. to communicate emergency information to the public. You can find additional information about the National Emergency Alert System (EAS) on the FEMA website at: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-alert-system.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio All Hazards is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. Visit www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/ to learn more about the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards network and to find a network station in your area.

Create an Emergency Shelter Plan

Communicating during an emergency can often be difficult if not impossible. To help keep your loved ones safe, you should put at least two emergency shelter plans in place: a plan for sheltering in place in your home, and a plan for evacuating to a nearby shelter.

Sheltering in Place

Often the best option for finding shelter is staying right where you are. Designate an area in your home where all family members should gather in case of emergency. A basement or storm shelter is usually best but if that’s not an option, and interior room (with no windows) or hallway is best. Preparing a disaster kit and storing it in there is also highly recommended.

Finding a Shelter

When sheltering in your home is not the best option, such as when the local authorities recommend or mandate an evacuation, you should put an alternative shelter plan in place.

Here are a few options:

Talk to friends and relatives to see if you can stay with them in case of an emergency.
Or create a list of hotels/motels to contact and make a reservation should evacuation seem likely.
Research mass care shelter options in your area. (Keep in mind pets are often not welcome at these facilities.)
Search for open shelters by texting SHELTER + a zip code to 43362 (4FEMA). Standard rates apply.

Map Out Your Best Evacuation Route

Plan how you will leave and where you will go in case of an emergency evacuation. Plan ahead by mapping out and documenting a primary and backup evacuation route. Keep in mind storms can often knock out services such as cell phone service and/or GPS – so keep an old school, paper map handy with your evacuation plans.

If you have a car, and an evacuation seems likely, keep your gas tank full. Fuel can sometimes be difficult to find during an emergency as stores can run out or close down in the area. A full tank can get you further out of the evacuation area faster and further away from the evacuation area where more fueling options are more readily available.

Put a Family/Household Communication Plan in Place

We can’t emphasize this enough: communicating during an emergency can often be difficult if not impossible. Put a family or household communication plan in place before an emergency to help get your loved ones reunited as quickly as possible.

Here are a few communication guidelines to follow:

Choose an out of town friend or relative to use as a point of contact. Send all messages through that designated person.
Designate a predetermined meeting place for all family members to go if you/they are unable to return home.
Keep important phone numbers and emergency contacts with you at all times. Make sure all members of the family, especially children have this information.
Don’t forget about social media. You can communicate a message to loved ones via a social channel and can even mark yourself as safe on Facebook to let friends and family know about your status.

Stay Safe this Hurricane Season

As a Florida area business and seawall builder, we have seen first hand the damage a hurricane can do. We hope these tips are helpful and that all our friends, neighbors, customers, etc., – everyone – stays safe this 2018 hurricane season.

And if you are interested in learning more about our services, and how a seawall could help protect you and your property this hurricane season, give us a call.

The 2018 Hurricane Season

May 28, 2018 by gibson Leave a Comment

The 2018 Hurricane Season: When is it? What should I expect?

The 2018 hurricane season is upon us. Arm yourself with information in preparation for the 2018 hurricane season.

When is the 2018 Hurricane Season in Florida?

Hurricane season in Florida officially begins on June 1st and runs through November 30th. But most storms typically hit during peak season, between August and October.

Alberto attempted to kick the hurricane season off early, making landfall over the Florida Panhandle on Memorial Day weekend, but luckily Alberto didn’t gain enough strength and only made it into the subtropical storm category.

2018 Hurricane Season Predictions

Forecastors at the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project (CSU), a leading authority on the topic are predicting another busy hurricane season. They predict the 2018 hurricane season to be slightly above historical averages. Here are the numbers:

The average number of hurricanes each season (averaged out over 30 years):

12 named storms
6 hurricanes
2 major hurricanes.

CSU is predicting the 2018 hurricane season to have:

14 named storms
7 hurricanes
3 major hurricanes.

How the 2018 Hurricane Season Compares to 2017

Although CSU predicts an above average hurricane season, they are predicting less activity than the previous year.

Here are the numbers from 2017:

18 named storms
10 hurricanes
6 major hurricanes

How to Prepare for the 2018 Hurricane Season

Being prepared for the 2018 hurricane season can make a big impact on how you spend your summer in Florida. Proper preparedness upfront can make clean up and repairs a lot easier down the line.

Review Your Florida Homeowners Insurance Policy

Take some time to sit down and review the details of your Florida Homeowners Insurance Policy. You may need to consider increasing your level of coverage if:

You made any improvements to your home or property since you last reviewed the policy.
You’ve made any expensive purchases, such as jewelry, antiques or art. Make sure all documents have been submitted to ensure these items are specifically listed and covered.

Also keep in mind that certain types of flood damage is often not covered by your homeowners insurance policy. If you live on or near a body of water, you may want to consider adding a flood insurance policy to make sure you have protection from all the types of water damage hurricanes can cause.

If You Have an Existing Seawall, Have it Inspected

Seawalls are a great way to help protect your property from some of the damage a hurricane can cause. But a seawall is only as strong as its weakest part.

Regular seawall inspections by seawall service professionals, such as the experts at Gibson Marine Construction, can identify areas in need of repair. Having these areas repaired and/or replaced will help stave off the misfortune of the more costly damage a busy hurricane season could bring.

Install a Seawall to Protect from Hurricane Damage

If you live on the waterfront and don’t have a seawall, you may want to consider having one installed to help protect your property from hurricane or other water damage. Call Gibson Marine Construction to learn how a seawall can help protect you and your property this hurricane season.

Tips for Preparing Your Boat, Dock, and Boat Lift for a Major Storm

August 12, 2015 by gibson Leave a Comment

It’s been a record 10 years since the state of Florida has suffered a direct hit from a major hurricane. The state’s official hurricane season started on June 1, and with months to go until the season officially ends on November 30, there’s no better time than now to learn how to prepare your waterfront property for a potential tropical storm or hurricane.

Florida possesses some of the nation’s greatest beaches, beautiful waterways, and excellent offshore fishing. The past decade of relative calm on both coasts and a population growth throughout the state of 2.5 million new residents means that many of the state’s boaters are either rusty or inexperienced altogether in preparing for a storm. In order to protect your boat, dock, and boat lift, keep these tips in mind as hurricane season continues.

Preparing Your Boat

Assuming you have enough warning and the time to do so, the best course of action you can take with your boat is to remove it from your boat lift and store it away from the potential storm surge in a safe place. If you cannot remove your boat, raise the dock lift as high as you can in an attempt to keep the boat above the storm surge, and don’t forget to secure your boat to the lift. Also, remove plugs from your boat so water can drain out and not overload your lift.

If you cannot remove your boat and your boat lift’s cradle doesn’t rise high enough to keep it above the potential storm surge, there are extra steps to take. It is still advisable to raise your boat as high as the boat lift goes, secure your boat to the lift, and use long ropes to secure your boat to anchor points. Even if the storm surge lifts your boat off the boat lift, the long anchor ropes will help keep it near your property.

Preparing Your Boat Lift

For those who were able to remove the boat from the boat lift, the best course of action during preparation is to lower the cradle on the lift all the way to the bottom. Leaving the cradle in the water prevents it from swaying the winds or being lashed harshly by waves in a storm surge, thus protecting the lift itself and the dock.

If your boat lift has a low-profile installation, it is possible the tide surge could bring corrosive saltwater right into your boat lift motors, switches, and covers. Remove these items from your lift and store in a safe, dry place. Those with a sealed direct-drive system should remove the gear unit as well. Before you do though, lower the cable down to its lowest point as the cable will free spool back down regardless. Last but not least, tighten all the nuts and bolts on the lift so you don’t lose any small parts during a potential storm.

Saltwater that streams in during the storm surge collects inside your sealed housing and freezes up the gears, and can result in costly replacement and repair costs to get your boat lift operating smoothly again after the storm. Follow these steps in the event that the state’s decade-long winning streak ends this year, and you’ll be prepared to weather the storm!