Beach Profile Response to Hurricane Hugo

by William C. Eiser, South Carolina Coastal Council, Charleston, United States,
William A. Birkemeier, South Carolina Coastal Council, Charleston, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Sediments

Abstract:

The impact of hurricane Hugo on the beaches of South Carolina is examined by comparing beach survey data collected during the spring and summer of 1989 with post-storm survey data collected within 4 weeks after Hugo. Data are analyzed for 123 stations in seven areas, from Folly Beach, immediately south of Charleston, to North Myrtle Beach, approximately 160 km north of Charleston. At five of these areas both pre-storm and post-storm surveys extend to depths of -1.5 m. For the remaining two areas, Debidue Beach and Myrtle Beach, pre-storm profiles extend to -3.5 m, while post-storm profiles reach -6 m. Profiles show a complete loss of the primary dune, upland scarping and overwash, a lowering and flattening of the beach face, and offshore accretion.

Subject Headings: Beach profiles | Storms | Beach accretion | Hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones | Data collection | Beaches | Storm surges | South Carolina | United States

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search