An article published in the Falmouth Enterprise 10-30-15

“It’s not the wind; it’s the water.” That was the theme of the presentation on Tidal Surge that was sponsored by the Old Stone Dock Association.

Last Friday night (10/23/15), one hundred residents gathered at the Casino Wharf Restaurant to hear Menauhant meteorologist “Doc” Taylor talk about the causes and effects of tidal surges in Buzzards Bay and the Vineyard Sound coast. He showed several photographs from the course of three hurricanes to illustrate the sequence of inshore flooding that can accompany a hurricane.

Dr. Taylor explained that a surge only occurs when waves hit the land. The slope of the ocean floor, the forward speed of the hurricane, and the barometric pressure of the storm are the key variables that drive the storm surge.  Interestingly, a small island like Nantucket will have a lower tidal surge that the mainland because the waves will pass around the land. For example, during Hurricane Bob in 1991, Nantucket had a two foot surge recorded, while Woods Hole was up seven feet.

The speed of the surge takes many victims by surprise. The recent storm in Charleston, South Carolina, saw the ocean rise four feet in twenty minutes.  Hurricane Camille hurled ashore along the Gulf Coast in 1969 with a surge of twenty-five feet.  Such surges retreat almost as fast as they develop.  In as little as 4 to 6 hours the surge can overpower buildings and then recede leaving massive debris behind.

Doc Taylor and Hayden Frank, a return lecturer from the National Weather Service in Taunton, both stressed the reliability of models to predict paths of hurricanes. As a hurricane approaches an area, there is generally ample time to evacuate or prepare protections for property.  A difference of 40 or 50 miles in the point of landfall can make a big difference in damage done, but heeding the warnings and taking precautions is critical.

The theme of precaution was picked up by Fire and Rescue Chief Mark Sullivan. With the Assistant Emergency Management Director Kimberly Strohm, they outlined the activities of the Emergency Management Planning Committee.  The group includes all municipal department heads and other institutions such as WHOI, Falmouth Hospital, the Council on Aging, and electric and gas utility companies.  The group conducts drills to practice coordinated responses for events from hurricanes to active shooters and maritime disasters.

Chief Sullivan stressed the value of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan which every town in Massachusetts is required to produce. Every town department provides input about the personnel and equipment they can provide in given disasters.  They also describe the sequence of actions they will take in the days preceding a predicted storm, or in response to a sudden emergency.  Town Manager Julian Suso noted that he was very pleased with the great work the town departments have done to create the plan.

Chief Sullivan and Ms Strohm emphasized the importance for every family to make a plan, stay informed, and plan ahead for up to three days of self-sufficiency. In the event of a wide-spread disaster, it is very likely that the state could take up to three days to respond to any one area.  All emergency centers in the state are coordinated through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Association.  Local, state, and federal assistance are provided according to set procedures.

Ms. Strohm told the audience that any evacuation order would be broadcast using all media possible, including FCTV Channel 13, WQRC 99.9FM radio, Facebook, Twitter, and even emergency vehicles broadcasting through loudspeakers in neighborhoods. The Barnstable County Sheriff also runs a Reverse 911 program called “Code Red” to warn of local emergencies.  The service is automatic for residences with a land line, and the service is available to cell phone users by signing up at “bsheriff.net/CodeRed.”  MEMA alerts are available by googling “MEMA Alerts.”

Chief Sullivan assured residents that in the event of an evacuation, the town’s procedures call for increased police surveillance to prevent looting of personal property. Part of the homeowner’s emergency plan should account for removing or securing their most valuable assets – including family photographs.

Members and guests left feeling confident about the nature of a tidal surge, and the steps they could take and the steps the town has taken to assure the most rapid and effective response possible.

Kevin M. Doyle
President, OSDA