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Last Updated: Dec 29, 2011 - 2:18:31 AM |
Schooner Bay, South Abaco - ”Damage Assessment & Aerial Reconnaissance of Schooner Bay Confirms What Planners, Environmentalists and Engineers Had Predicted All Along — If One Works Within and Enhances The Centuries Old, Existing Natural Systems, Then Mother Nature Shows Her Mercy in Times of Major Storms Like Irene. "
With a projected storm surge on the Atlantic side of Abaco at 4 feet, the seawall, harbour, groin, dune system and completed homes at Schooner Bay were put to the near ultimate test from Hurricane Irene on 25"‘ August 2011. Note: Official NOAA models max out at a 6 ft. storm surge in a Cat 5 storm on east coast of Abaco. We are happy to report that the sea was fully held back and our priceless broadleaf coppice, other than loss of leaves and some wind burn, is unscathed from the ocean's surge and Irene's winds. The coppice was also
aided by the manmade secondary dune —just behind the primary dune. The winds at Schooner Bay were in the range of 125mph with gusts over 13Omph as experienced by Keith Bishop (Coastal Science Engineer) who was on the ground at the time. The eye passed right over Schooner Bay. The surge in the harbour was just below 4ft. above the high tide mark. As expected the entire seawall system, groin, channel and spillway performed as engineered and are undamaged and fully intact. The development suffered some minor landscape damage but no significant damage to any homes or buildings. The existing homes — built to withstand Category 5 storms proved the value of their fortified design and sustained no wind or water
damage. Minimum elevation of first floor of homes at Schooner Bay is 12 ft in the village rising to 60ft above sea level for ridge homes.
In the post storm analysis of the effects of Irene on Schooner Bay, three main themes of storm sustainability and survivability come right to the forefront:
1. Elevation — With millions of dollars invested in raising the rough grade of the entire village up to a minimum 9-10 ft. above sea level, the water did not flood onto any building lots in the village. The homes with their finished ground floors at a minimum of 12 ft above sea level were undamaged. Our elevation exceeds the minimum elevation of most villages in Bahamas and is a key component of the preventative storm surge design....
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