DANGERS OF STORM
SURGES AND STRUCTURES
THAT CAN PREVENT THEM
Janmar Luisce Balmores
Maria Teresa Ursua
Maris Estella Miguel
DANGERS OF STORM SURGES AND
STRUCTURES THAT CAN PREVENT THEM
Introduction
Importance
Brief Description
Knowledge
Introduction
ALONG THE COAST, STORM SURGE IS OFTEN THE GREATEST
THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM A HURRICANE. IN THE
PAST, LARGE DEATH TOLLS HAVE RESULTED FROM THE RISE
OF THE OCEAN ASSOCIATED WITH MANY OF THE MAJOR
HURRICANES THAT HAVE MADE LANDFALL. HURRICANE
KATRINA (2005) IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE DAMAGE AND
DEVASTATION THAT CAN BE CAUSED BY SURGE. AT LEAST
1500 PERSONS LOST THEIR LIVES DURING KATRINA AND
MANY OF THOSE DEATHS OCCURRED DIRECTLY, OR
INDIRECTLY, AS A RESULT OF STORM SURGE.
A storm surge is water that is pushed onto shore by a hurricane. It is
rarely a "wall of water" as often claimed, but rather a rise of water
that can be as rapid as several feet in just a few minutes. The storm
surge moves with the forward speed of the hurricane — typically
10-15 mph. This wind-driven water has tremendous power. One
cubic yard of sea water weighs 1,728 pounds — almost a ton.
What causes a storm surge?
It is caused by strong winds brought by the low pressure at the eye of the
storm. These winds push sea water, which leads to its accumulation and
abnormal increase in water level heading to the shores.
What are the effects of a storm surge?
A storm surge brings widespread floods which can extend to kilometers from
the seashore, depending on the shape and height of the wave. Along with
strong waves and forceful winds, a storm surge can destroy and wash away
anything in its path.
Who are susceptible to storm surges?
Being a littoral country, the Philippines is one of the countries
most susceptible to the danger posted by a storm surge because of
its very long coastlines. Areas near the shore are most prone to
being hit by a storm surge. People a couple of kilometers away
may also be hit depending on the elevation of their area (lowlands
are easier to get affected than highlands). A storm surge will have
no effect if the shore is steep.
What should be done everytime there is a threat of a storm surge?
Storm surge warnings can be found in the PAGASA Severe Weather Bulletin and
in their impact-based color-coded storm surge warnings. It is stated there: all
residents living in low areas of the seashore are advised to move to more
elevated areas and keep in mind all reminders and warnings on floods brought by
the storm surge. The color-coded warnings are used to emphasize the severity of
the impact of the storm surges.
What are the structures to prevent Storm Surge?
Storm Surge Barriers
Flood Walls
Hydraulic Gates
Storm surge barriers are
structures with a still lower
frequency of closing and opening
than the dam section. The time that
these operations may take is
usually much longer as well.
When contemplating whether to build a storm surge barrier it is important to
consider not only the cost of each type of measure but the protection that they
would offer and how easy it would be to upgrade such defences in the future.
Mobile flood wall is a new
solution in flood protection or
storm surges which is used in
populated area. The design
of mobile flood walls must focus
on surveying water levels,
determination of loads and
limitation of leaking water. The
main types of loads on the
structure are hydrostatic,
hydrodynamic and impact loads.
TYPES OF FLOODWALL
I-Wall
T-Wall
I-walls were generally used when the
T-walls take their name by the cross-
exposed height of wall was fairly low
section (inverted “T”)
(usually < 10 feet, but there are many
Generally used when exposed height of exceptions)
wall becomes too excessive for an I-
I-walls are used because they are much
wall, which is a cheaper construction
cheaper than T-walls because no base
alternative
slab is required
Submitting to the forces of nature is generally not a viable option
if mankind is going to continue to thrive. The last decade brought
us awareness. They made us realize that it is important to control
the forces of nature in a wise, sustainable manner.
There are several applications of hydraulic gates and closures—each one with its own
profile of loads, requirements, and operation conditions. The most common
applications are:
• River weir closures;
• Flooding and storm surge barriers;
• Navigation lock gates;
• Movable sections of bulkheads,
cofferdams, or other temporary
water-retaining structures;
HYDRAULIC GATES
CONCLUSION
Several coastal areas are subject to periodic floods, depending on the
interaction between the tide and the storm surge. Mobile floodwalls can be
installed at river dams, seashores, large-size port piers, railway tunnel
portals, culvert openings of expressways, openings of civil air defense
structures, and urban large-scale communities to prevent flood disasters.
Mobile floodwalls improve the standard of urban flood protection and can
effectively prevent flood disasters under the requirement of preserving the
urban landscape.
