Brunswick Ga: Hurricane Dorian Aftermath

Hurricane Dorian was a powerful Category 5 storm that wobbled back and forth along the southeastern coast of the United States. It battered the Bahamas and caused severe hurricane conditions across Florida and the southeastern coast of the United States. In Brunswick, Georgia, residents experienced temperatures in the mid-80s and thunderstorms throughout the Labor Day weekend in 2019.

Although Florida bore the brunt of the storm, Georgia was also impacted. Beginning on Monday morning, Dorian's winds reached a large part of the state, and rain in the southeastern corner ranged from one to six inches. The storm caused heavy rains and coastal flooding in Brunswick, Georgia.

Mandatory evacuations of Georgia's Atlantic coast

Hurricane Dorian was a powerful Category 5 storm that wobbled back and forth along the southeastern coast. In preparation for its arrival, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp ordered a mandatory evacuation of the state's Atlantic coast, covering all those located east of the Interstate 95 corridor in Camden, Glynn, Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, and McIntosh counties. This included areas such as St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island, and Little St. Simons Island, as well as low-lying areas of the mainland. The evacuation was set to begin at noon on Monday, with contraflow on I-16 starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, directing all traffic westward to maximize the distance from the coast.

The mandatory evacuation was a precautionary measure as Dorian's winds were expected to reach a large part of Georgia, and rainfall in the southeastern corner was forecasted to range from one to six inches. In Brunswick, located in the path of the storm, residents braced for tropical storm force winds, heavy rains, and thunderstorms throughout the weekend.

The evacuation order was issued based on recommendations from Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security officials and county emergency management officials. Governor Kemp emphasized the importance of public safety and encouraged all residents in the affected areas to evacuate as soon as possible. The state mobilized various resources, including activating up to 5,000 Georgia National Guard members to support response and recovery efforts.

To assist with evacuation efforts, the state implemented westbound-only traffic on Interstate 16 to facilitate a swift and safe departure from the coast. This measure aimed to minimize traffic congestion and potential delays, ensuring a smooth evacuation process.

It is important to note that Hurricane Dorian marked the third time since 2016 that hurricane evacuations had been mandated for the entirety of Georgia's coastal regions. The previous instances were during Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Tropical storms and depressions

A tropical depression forms when a low-pressure area is accompanied by thunderstorms that produce a circular wind flow with maximum sustained winds below 39 mph. An upgrade to a tropical storm occurs when cyclonic circulation becomes more organized and maximum sustained winds gust between 39 mph and 73 mph. Tropical storms are categorized according to the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

In the context of Hurricane Dorian, the National Weather Service predicted that Brunswick, Georgia, would experience temperatures in the mid-80s and thunderstorms throughout the Labor Day weekend in 2019. The storm was expected to bring heavy wind and rain to the region, with the potential for tropical storm-force winds and heavy rains.

Storm surge flooding

Storm surges and flooding pose a significant threat to Brunswick, GA, and the surrounding areas. The city is surrounded by multiple rivers, including the Altamaha River, the South Brunswick River, the Turtle River, and the Little Satilla River, as well as the Atlantic Ocean. This unique geography, coupled with low-lying areas and tidal creeks, makes Brunswick particularly vulnerable to storm surge flooding.

During Hurricane Dorian, Brunswick and the Golden Isles were braced for potential tropical storm force winds, heavy rains, and coastal flooding. While Dorian's eye skirted the coast, the National Weather Service warned of high storm surges and drenching rains that could trigger flooding in areas still recovering from previous hurricanes, such as Florence.

In preparation for Dorian, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp ordered a mandatory evacuation of the state's Atlantic coast, including Glynn County, where Brunswick is located. Evacuations were to begin at noon on Monday, with contraflow on I-16 starting on Tuesday to maximize traffic flowing away from the coast. The F.J. Torras Causeway, which provides access to the barrier islands, was also expected to be impacted and potentially become flooded and impassable.

The unique geography of Brunswick, with its surrounding rivers and coastal location, makes the city highly susceptible to storm surge flooding. Even everyday storm events can cause tidal creeks and canals to rise and overflow, especially during periods of higher-than-normal ocean tides. This results in shallow, localized flooding, further exacerbated by poor drainage, inadequate storm sewers, and clogged culverts.

To help residents determine their flood risk, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created flood maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). These maps identify areas of high, moderate, and low flood risk. Additionally, residents can refer to the Georgia Floodmap Program or contact the Brunswick Engineering Department to assess their specific flood zone and risk level.

Intense weather in Florida

Hurricane Dorian was forecast to bring intense weather to Florida, with heavy wind and rain expected to precede its arrival on Monday. Dorian formed in the Atlantic Ocean and turned into a Category 1 hurricane as it passed Puerto Rico. It was expected to strengthen and make landfall on the eastern side of Florida, possibly as a Category 4 hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted that Dorian's slow nature could mean prolonged periods of intense weather for Florida. Winds from the hurricane were forecast to reach the state on Sunday morning, and the eastern part of Florida was expected to see six to ten inches of rainfall between August 30 and September 6. The northwestern part of the state was predicted to experience thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, with Monday being partly cloudy.

On June 13, 2024, a slow-moving storm system infused with deep tropical moisture brought heavy rain and thunderstorms to South Florida. This led to flash flooding, causing streets to become rivers and resulting in hundreds of flight delays and cancellations. The National Weather Service warned that even a small duration of heavy rainfall could lead to more flash flooding. The heavy rain created numerous areas of flash flooding and affected larger rivers. The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, discussed the state's response to the flooding and declared a state of emergency for five counties, including Miami-Dade.

Dangerous flooding in North Carolina

Hurricane Dorian was a powerful Category 5 storm that wobbled back and forth along the southeastern coast. Although Florida bore the brunt of the storm, Georgia and South Carolina also experienced its effects.

In Brunswick, Georgia, residents experienced thunderstorms and temperatures in the mid-80s throughout Labor Day weekend in 2019. North of Brunswick, in Savannah, thunderstorms occurred on Saturday, followed by scattered thunderstorms on Sunday and Monday.

In North Carolina, flooding is one of the most common dangers, and it can occur at any time of year. The state has experienced record-setting floods during hurricanes, including Hurricane Floyd in 1999, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and Hurricane Florence in 2018. These hurricanes caused unprecedented flooding across much of eastern North Carolina, with eastern North Carolina recording 15 to 20 inches of rain in some areas.

The Tar River in Tarboro, North Carolina, for example, crested over 22 feet above flood stage during Hurricane Floyd. Extensive heavy rainfall resulted in flooding of most roads east of I-95. More than 7,000 homes were destroyed, and approximately 17,000 homes were deemed uninhabitable. The storm also caused severe agricultural damage, with Duplin County losing nearly 750,000 turkeys and 100,000 hogs to flooding.

In addition to hurricanes, flooding in North Carolina can also be caused by large amounts of rain, dam failures, and tropical storms. Western North Carolina experienced catastrophic flooding during Tropical Storm Fred in 2021, which caused landslides, uprooted trees, and destroyed homes, buildings, roads, and bridges.

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