ANNOUNCEMENT: Our annual podcast survey is live!

Please share your thoughts and how the survey has inspired change with us, here:⁠ https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEf5YoxkFv87GIu⁠

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In this episode, we explain how hurricanes cause inland flooding through extreme rainfall and connected watershed systems. We’ll discuss why Florida’s flat terrain and development patterns make inland flooding so persistent, how these events impact water quality and wildlife, and what practical steps Floridians can take to protect their homes and communities.

Learn More:

• See the most up-to-date FEMA Flood Map for your community: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home (FEMA)
• Get a quote or learn more about the National Flood Insurance Program: https://www.floodsmart.gov
• Florida Well Owners Network: https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/well/ (UF/IFAS)
• Benefits of Floodplains: https://www.fema.gov/floodplain-management/wildlife-conservation/benefits-natural (FEMA)

Sources:

• https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home
• https://www.archbold-station.org/projects/floodplains/

• • https://msc.fema.gov/msccontent/Flood_Hazard_Mapping_Updates_Overview_Fact_Sheet.pdf
  • https://www.floodsmart.gov

ANNOUNCEMENT: Our annual podcast survey is live!

Please share your thoughts and how the survey has inspired change with us, here: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEf5YoxkFv87GIu

***

On today’s episode, we will do a deep dive into the topic ofstorm surge. What is storm surge? What are the impacts of storm surge to us and our natural systems? We will also help you understand the risk of stormsurge where you live.

Episode script reviewed by Lauren Wolf, Holly Abeels, andArmando Ubeda.

Episode recording reviewed by Stephen Mullens.

Learn more:

• National Weather Service – Storm Surge Overview &Hurricane Hazards https://www.weather.gov/phi/stormsurge& https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-hazards
• National Ocean Service – What is storm surge? https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/stormsurge-stormtide.html
• National Hurricane Center and Central PacificHurricane Center – Storm Surge Overview - https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/

How you can help:

• Learn your evacuation zone – https://www.floridadisaster.org/knowyourzone/Remember, evacuation zones are based on storm surge risk for low-lying, floodprone areas, mobile homes or unsafe structures.
• Consider planting more salt-tolerant plants inyour landscape - https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/plant-guide/
• Support nature-based solutions such as dunerestoration, mangrove plantings, and living shorelines.

Sources for this Episode:

• https://coast.noaa.gov/states/fast-facts/economics-and-demographics.html

• https://www.usgs.gov/centers/spcmsc/science/florida-coastal-mapping-program
• https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2023/06/15/sand-dunes/
• https://www.jstor.org/stable/26296452?mag=the-shifting-sands-of-hurricane-resilience&seq=1
• https://www.usgs.gov/centers/spcmsc/science/storm-induced-coastal-change
• https://daily.jstor.org/the-shifting-sands-of-hurricane-resilience/

This episode is part 1 of our summer hurricane series! Today, we're talking about how hurricanes form, why they spin, and what the "categories" mean when we talk about storms.

Also, we would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to Stephen Mullens, a fellow faculty member at the University of Florida, for reviewing our episode content for accuracy. Stephan is an expert in forecasting and impacts related to hurricanes and thunderstorms.

Learn More:

• ​Coriolis Effect Video (Nat Geo): https://youtu.be/mPsLanVS1Q8?si=yokr3w1vUeVg6l9T
• ​Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: Learn more about what each "category" storm means. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/sshws_2012rev.pdf
• ​Make a plan! Get ready, now: https://www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/preparing-for-hurricane-season/

Sources:

• ​https://climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/hurricanes
• ​https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/How-Do-Hurricanes-Move_.pdf
• ​https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/sshws_2012rev.pdf
• ​https://www.npr.org/2018/09/14/647944033/september-is-peak-hurricane-season-why-is-that
• ​https://weather.gov/media/mfl/TropicalEventSummary/PSHMFL_2024AL14_Milton_Tornadoes.pdf
• ​https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL092024_Helene.pdf