Hurricanes Stronger in Warmer World
Floridians Becky Withstandley and her husband Chris have been stranded from their home since Labor Day weekend, 2004. That's when Hurricane Frances struck, blowing the top off their seaside condo on South Hutchinson Island, Florida.
The tale is becoming all-too familiar — lives turned upside down by brutal hurricanes. In 2005, as Hurricane Katrina shocked the world with its ferocious damage, many Americans ravaged by earlier hurricanes continued to rebuild their lives out of the spotlight.
The Withstandleys' dislocation began in late August, 2004. As Hurricane Frances whipped into the season's third major hurricane, Florida folks like the Withstandleys prepared for the coming storm, storing up on provisions and boarding up windows.
On September 1, a state of emergency was declared, forcing half a million people, including the Withstandleys, from their homes. Barely two weeks after Hurricane Charley hit the Withstandleys' barrier island, leaving 15 people dead, Hurricane Frances tore into the area.
"Businesses were destroyed; houses were destroyed," said Withstandley, a bank manager. Three years later, and they're still not back home.
Storms already getting fiercer
The evidence linking global warming and hurricanes is mounting. Our warmer climate is heating up ocean waters, and warm ocean water fuels hurricanes. Scientists have long predicted that global warming will lead to more intense storms. The questions that remained were: "When will stronger hurricanes arrive?" and "How much fiercer will they be?"
Several scientific papers published over the last two years provide strong evidence that the answers are "the increase has already appeared" and "by quite a lot." Recent research, encapsulated in the 2007 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on climate Change (IPCC), indicates that in the North Atlantic fiercer hurricanes are "correlated with increases of tropical sea surface temperatures."
A 2005 MIT study found that the destructive potential of tropical storms has doubled over the past 30 years. It correlates this increasing ferocity with warmer sea surface temperatures, suggesting a strong link to global warming. Research at the Georgia Institute of Technology found that the number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has doubled since the 1970's. (More on the link between hurricanes and climate change.)
For the thousands of Americans displaced by Andrew, Charley, Frances and many others, the anecdotal evidence is hard to miss.
Water damage hits home
In the wake of Hurricane Frances, Withstandley, her husband Chris and their cat Cody moved to safety on the mainland to wait out the storm.
"I felt very comfortable that our condo would be fine because it's made with concrete blocks and we had hurricane shutters," says Withstandley. But it wasn't fine.
"What happened is that the roof came loose and once that started peeling away," explains Withstandley, "the whole roof came off and the water started coming in." The water inundated all three levels of the condo.
About six weeks after the storm, when South Hutchinson residents were allowed back to their homes, the Withstandleys started regular trips to check on their property. After several visits, they discovered the major problem. "More and more mold would appear," says Withstandley. The insurance company told the couple they needed to remove everything the mold could grow on. In short order, the mounting mold problem forced all 15 units in the condo complex to be evacuated.
High costs and months of rebuilding
After the Withstandleys found an alternative place to live, the waiting began. For many, many months nothing happened while the Withstandleys and their neighbors awaited permits and contractors and then a temporary roof before the new roof could be installed. Finally, $50,000 later — since the insurance company wasn't ready to settle — the condos were gutted to shells.
Over time, the expenses byond what the insurance company has paid have added up to $100,000. While insurance replaced what was lost (minus deductibles), it wouldn't pay for the new metal, hurricane-proof roof. Over time, insurance premiums for the condo have quadrupled, and the lengthy process of rebuilding has meant three years away from their home — and counting.
As of September 2007, of the 15 unites in their condo, one family has moved back in. The Withstandleys' place is shaping up nicely, Becky says. Their electricity, water and air conditioning are installed. The interior walls are up and primed. The new tile is in. Appliances have been delivered. Chris has finished the kitchen cabinetry and the new wood floors. The landscaping and new driveway "90 percent complete," reported Becky in late August 2007.
Still stranded, living on a boat, 3 years later
After about a year with a friend, Becky Withstandley and her husband Chris, a marine biologist, have called a houseboat their home.
"Life on the boat is cozy and convenient (short walk to downtown stores, restaurants, events, theatre) but feeling a bit cramped," Withstandley wrote in a recent email. "We are very much looking forward to moving back into our home."
Withstandley guesses that she and Chris can be back in their seaside condo by the end of October 2007.
Despite the risks of fierce storms like Hurricane Frances, which drove the Withstandleys out of their condo during Labor Day weekend 2004, the coast is an alluring place for millions of Americans. More than half of the population lives within 50 miles of a coastline.
Withstandley says that while boat living has been an experience, she's looking forward to a more hurricane-proof condo and the long-awaited return home: "I wouldn't want to live anywhere else."
What You Can Do
Small changes to your daily routine can add up to big differences in helping to stop global warming.
Sources
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Emanuel, Kerry. “Increasing Destructiveness of Tropical Cyclones Over 30 Years.” Nature. doi: 10.1038/nature03906. www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/
Kerr, Richard A. "Is Katrina a Harbinger of Still More Powerful Hurricanes?" Science. Vol. 309. no. 5742, DOI: 10.1126/science.309.5742.1807. www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/309/5742/1807. 16 September 2005. 1807.
Pasch, Richard J.; Brown, Daniel P.; Blake, Eric S. "Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Charley 9-14 August 2004." National Hurricane Center. www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004charley.shtml. 5 January 2005.
Webster, P.J.; Holland, G.J.; Curry, J.A.; Chang, H.R. "Changes in Tropical Cyclone Number, Duration, and Intensity in a Warming Environment." Science. Vol. 309. no. 5742, DOI: 10.1126/science.1116448. www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/309/5742/1844. 16 September 2005. 1844-1846.