Grass Roots: Wind and Water

Gulf Coast Environment Beaches Barrier Islands and Storm Surge

by WKRG-TV

Published: Wed, July 29, 2009 - 5:39 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, July 29, 2009 - 5:42 pm CST

Alan Sealls explains the stormy nature of our weather and the reach of storm surge.

Dr. George Crozier, Dr. Scott Douglass and Dr. Bret Webb describe the nature of our beaches, barrier islands and wetlands and their natural protective role. Mayor Tony Kennon, Lanny Smith and Phillip West tell us how the City of Orange Beach, Alabama, has changed since Hurricane Ivan. Officials from Mississippi discuss rebuilding on the coast. The dramatic new flood maps and their effect on home owners insurance are presented. Danny Lipford outlines storm prevention for home owners.

A partnership of:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Mississippi/Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
- WKRG-TV
- The City of Orange Beach
- The University of South Alabama Engineering Department,
- grassroots, inc.

The Gulf Coast is an area of storms, high winds and heavy rainfall. We can do a better job of building in this fragile environment by developing better building codes, preserving trees and open spaces. We need to be better educators on teaching our communities how to respect the protective nature of our beaches and wetlands.

We must become more aware that we can work with our environment instead of bulldozing, clearing and paving it. We can litter less. We can work with our communities to lessen our damage from storms and we can make our recovery more cost-effective for us and for our communities.
Today, we can begin to clear up our beautiful waters so our kids and generations beyond can enjoy them.

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