Make Preparations for Matthew Over the Weekend
The latest National Hurricane Center’s advisory suggests Flagler County residents will feel the effects of Hurricane Matthew. Expected to remain offshore, the powerful storm will effect a broad area.
PALM COAST, FL – October 1, 2016 – Yesterday, Flagler County Emergency Management issued a weather advisory, urging Flagler County residents to prepare for the expected arrival of Hurricane Matthew during the upcoming week. Since the advisory, Matthew has strengthened. The National Hurricane Center’s 11:00 A.M. update ranks Matthew as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 155 MPH. The projected cone has shifted slightly westward from yesterday’s model, bringing Florida’s east coast into play. The hurricane is expected to be abreast of Florida with winds of 110 – 115 MPH during the fourth and fifth day of the forecast cone.
5-Day Forecast Cone
Models generally agree on the path over the first three days of the forecast period, but vary significantly during days four and five, making Flagler County’s prospects uncertain. But the storm is expected to be both strong and broad, effecting an area well beyond the storm’s center. Flagler County residents should expect potentially heavy rains, wind and heavy surf by mid-week.
Flagler County Weather Alert
September 30, 2016 – Flagler County Emergency Management is monitoring the path of Hurricane Matthew and recommends that residents shore up their individual hurricane plans and provisions over the weekend.
“It’s too early to tell exactly what path Matthew will travel,” said Flagler County Public Safety Emergency Manager Steve Garten. “We will have much better information by Monday, but we strongly encourage everyone to double check their emergency plans while we still have blue skies.”
It is unlikely that Flagler County will feel any impacts before Wednesday, and it is still unknown what Matthew will send to Florida’s east coast. Building surf and rip currents are the projected threat to the area at this time.
At home preparations should include a pantry that is stocked with a week’s worth of non-perishable foods and juices; a gallon of water per person per day; a manual can opener and cooking foods and utensils; disposable plates and plasticware; medicines – including prescription drugs; flashlights and batteries; and, a manual or battery operated weather radio.
“Make sure those canned goods are things that you and your family will eat,” Garten said. “Have some comfort foods on hand too, especially if you have children. Don’t forget to have supplied for your pets, too.”
Reduce the risk of water entering the home by making sure that windows and doors have proper caulking and weather stripping. Package valuable documents such as: titles, deeds, insurance papers, bonds, in waterproof containers for safekeeping.
“It’s also a good idea to fill the tank of your car,” said County Administrator Craig Coffey. “Even if we aren’t hit hard, bad weather in other areas could slow the delivery of commodities like gasoline.”
Garten also recommends knowing if you live in an evacuation zone as determined from storm surge models provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Go to flagleremergency.com for more information.
“The decision to evacuate a zone is based on the track and intensity of the specific storm,” Garten said. “We will make sure everyone knows if and when they need to evacuate.”
All residents along the U.S. east coast should monitor Matthew's progress (using the following links) and prepare accordingly.
Mike,s Weather Page (www.spaghettimodels.com)
Stormwater Run Off and The Palm Coast Project
D. Pollutants in Drainage and Stormwater Runoff
Studies: Studies were conducted to determine the characteristics of fertilizers (e.g. phosphates, nitrates) that contribute least to nutrient runoff into surface water bodies. The ultimate goal is to prevent eutrophication. Specific products were recommended which are capable of releasing nutrients at a controlled rate; these were preferred over the water soluble types, which release nutrients at a very rapid rate on water contact. All available data were gathered to determine the extent and degree of pollutant concerntrations found in stormwater runoff from urban areas. Data indicate that runoff contains significant concentration of BOD , suspended solids, nutrients, and dissolved solids.
Soil erosion control technology was reviewed with regard to minimizing the effects of sediment runoof during construction when natural vegetative covers are removed and soil is exposed to water impact and scour energy. Alternative methods and/or practices are: (1) minimization of length of exposure time for unprotected grades areas, (2) soil treatment, seeding and mulching, or mulching alone, (3) interceptor dikes, (4) diversion dikes, (5) sediment traps. It was recommended that ll of the methods studies should be applied to Palm Coast and incorporated wherever possible in design aof the drainage system in order to retard water movement as much as possible.
Solutions: whereas conventional techniques have aimed at rapid movement and disposal of rainwater from a given site, the present
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being utilized in the layout, spacing, and geometry of the dredged canal systems and in establishing minimum homesite elevations. (2) Shallow canal depths of eight feet were selected in order to maximize turbulence and eliminate the possibility of stratification. Therefore, dissolved oxygen levels are maintained throughout the entire depth.
F. Operation, and Maintenance of Canals to Perpetuate Water Quality and Aesthetics.
Sutdies: Water quality criteria for tidal canals are classified by the State of Florida according to use. They fall into Class III standards for recreation and for propagation and management of fish and wildlife. The criteria governing these waters may be summarized as follows: modern treatment technology required for all discharges into canals: pH range of 6.0-8.5, minimum dissolved oxyten of 4.0 mg/l; coliform bacteria not to exceed 1,000 per 100 ml as a monthly average; no substances toxic to humans, animals or aquatic life; no substances causing deleterious effects or nuisance conditions; turbidity less than 50 Jackson unite above background; and no damage to aquatic life, vegetation, or water use caused by temperature elevation.
An inventory of pollutant sources into the canals was made. Since the entire water front area will be certainly sewered , there will be no domestic or industrial waste inputs. Discharges and effluents from boats will be negigible . As discussed earlier under Section D, drainage and storm water runoff is the only important source of potential pollution. However, design of the drainage system has called for maximum water retention on the land, where major fractions of the pollutants will be filtered out and/or absorbed by the soil vegetation complex. Rainfall records have been studied to accurately determine what will be the runoff volumes and their relative distribution throughout the year. Likewise, the amount of fresh water flow into the canals has been calculated. Pollutants loading rates were projected, based upon studies which have investigated storm water quality of urban runoff. Since these published loading factors are developed from areas aimed at rapid movement and disposal of rain water from a given site, they can be substantially lowered for Palm Coast becaue of our drastically different approach in drainage philosophy. Both in terms of volumetric and concentration discharge, the study showed that loading
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Young, Dr. J. Norman and Dr. Stanley Dea, ‘…An Approach to a New City: Palm Coast…’ , 1972, pp. 134-135
‘…The last hurricane to afffect Palm Coast was Hurricane David, which brushed the area in early September, 1979. David’s highest wind gust recorded in Palm Coast was 59 miles per hour, and though it did drop 4.16 inches of rain over a 48 -hour period, no flood-related water damage occurred. One of the main reasons damage did not occur is because Palm Coast has been designed to withstand, what is termed, “the 100-year flood.” That, says Richard Vaughan, director of environmental affairs for ITT Community Development Corporation, means a flood that statistically could occur once in a hundred years could hit Palm Coast and no flood water would enter the houses….’
‘ …Palm Coast has been designed to withstand what is termed ‘the 100 year Flood’.
From: Richard Vaughan, director of environmental affairs for the ITT Community Development Corporation
The PalmCoaster, Volume 11, Number 1, Winter/Spring, 1982, Front Cover Page, p 1., p 13.
( Dr. Per Brun, of the University of Norway at Trondheim and also the Famed Coastal Engineering Department of the University of Florida knowledge, skills, and abilities were utilized by LEVITT & I.T.T. in the Design Plan for the Gargantuan 93,000 acres of Palm Coast Community Lands comprising ‘ The Palm Coast Project ‘ -‘..the largest planned Community in the Nation…’ and ‘..the largest New Town in the World…’) .
Perhaps there will be a Historic MARKER at an entrance to the Canal System so that Newer Palm Coasters can be made aware of this massive planning used for ‘The Palm Coast Project’ creating a great sense of being and Sense of Place created by LEVITT & I.T.T.
Should you want a better perspective you can drive around, or preferably bicycle around our LEVITT & I.T.T. Showcase Golf Course Neighborhood and see Dr. Per Brun’s Design plan in person –
note the area around Casper Drive & Clubhouse and also Cooper Lane Extension and how the Golf Course Waterway is incorporated into the Design for Stormwater Run-off..
Also, as an aside, the STate of Florida Historic Preservation Offices will be having the Specialists evaluate Official Historic MARKER Applications their Quartely Evaluations – upcoming in about a week is an Application for MARKER placement at Marineland. ( If you want to see and hear it – a Webinar is Offered there for all this Quarters Applications that were submitted).
Thank You very much.