Coastal Risk Reduction
The Texas Coast is one of the most productive and ecologically distinctive shorelines in the World. It is dynamically being reshaped by both natural and man-made forces. As part of the Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas, many talented faculty members and researchers from Texas A&M University at Galveston Campus focus their efforts and seek solutions to reduce coastal risk. IDRT aims to develop comprehensive, holistic approaches to Texas coastal research and restoration solutions while incorporating natural, economic and political processes.
Ike Dike
PROGRAM DIRECTOR:
Hurricane Ike’s death and destruction vividly pointed out the need for protection from hurricane storm surge in the Houston-Galveston region. Although Hurricane Ike was disastrous, the storm was calmed before landfall and the surge was well below the forecasted 25 foot storm surges up Galveston Bay. If Ike had not weakened before landfall, Galveston Bay was looking at possibly a $100 Billion hurricane, which could have killed hundreds, left thousands homeless and jobless and devastated the nation’s largest petrochemical complex and crippled its busiest port.
CTBS believes this terrible scenario can be prevented. We can apply best practices and existing technologies used in the Netherlands and New Orleans to protect our region. The coastal spine concept is the approach the Dutch used after their 1953 surge disaster. They shortened their coast by combining barriers and gates to keep surge out of internal waters. They shared their methods with New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and today New Orleans has the Greater New Orleans Barrier that protects the city from storm surge. We hope to use that knowledge to protect the Galveston-Houston area.
Bay Atlas
PI:
CO-PI:
Wave Based Flood Risk Reduction
SPONSOR:
Houston Advanced Research Center/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
PI:
Samuel Brody
CO-PI:
Wesley Highfield
