November 10, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tina Haisman, ASBPA Media Relations, 239-292-2882 or media@asbpa.org

Coastal hazards: How big a wave would it take
to demolish a coastal building?

Coastal hazards along America’s shorelines threaten a great percentage of the U.S. population. Take the beach quiz to find out how much you know about your risks.

FORT MYERS, FL –Have you been paying attention? In September, we taught you about coastal hazards – now take the quiz to see how much you remember!

1: What is a coastal hazard?
a) Wind
b) Waves
c) Flooding
d) All of the above
e) None of the above

Answer: D. Coastal hazards are natural or man-made events that threaten the health of the animals and people who live along the shoreline. This includes, but is not limited to, the wind, waves and flooding related to hurricanes and tropical storms. Other types of coastal hazards include beach erosion, oil spills, harmful algal blooms and pollution.

2: How many miles of shoreline does the United States have exposed to coastal hazards?
a) 7,000
b) 9,000
c) 5,500
d) 7,500

Answer: A. The U.S. has more than 7,000 miles of shoreline at risk from coastal hazards that can result in loss of life and billions of dollars in damage to public and private property.

3: What percentage of the U.S. population lives in coastal areas that are susceptible to coastal hazards?
a) 25%
b) 50%
c) 75%
d) 100%

Answer: B. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), nearly half of the U.S. population lives in coastal areas that are susceptible to coastal hazards.

4: What is the most significant type of coastal hazard?
a) Sea level rise
b) Human activities
c) Weather
d) Beach erosion

Answer: D. Beach erosion. The more erosion that occurs on a beach, the closer the big waves get; the bigger the waves landing on the shore, the higher the damage to buildings. The beach and dunes are the first line of protection.

5: How large of a wave would it take to destroy a wall designed to withstand 125 mph winds?
a) 1 ½-foot
b) 5-foot
c) 10-foot
d) 17-foot

Answer: A. It only takes a 1½-foot breaking wave to destroy a wall designed to withstand 125 mph winds. That means a 1½-foot wave can destroy an entire house.

For more information about coastal hazards, visit www.asbpa.org.

# # #

ABOUT ASBPA: Founded in 1926, the ASBPA promotes the integration of science, policies and actions that maintain, protect and enhance the coasts of America. For more information on ASBPA, go to www.asbpa.org, facebook or www.twitter.com/asbpa.