Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Tropical Storm Debby... Blessed Relief

I know a lot of people will think I'm crazy (a lot already do), but hardly anything better could have happened to the State of Florida than tropical storm Debby. For those who don't live in these parts, Debby has been parked in the Gulf of Mexico just off of the Florida coast for about three days now and has dumped upwards of 15 to 20 inches of rain on the entire west coast and central highlands of the state.

There has been some wind damage but the big ticket here is flooding. Any time there is a weather event in this state there is flooding and flood damage. Why? Because basically, the entire state is a swamp just barely above sea level. And also, because stupid people, and way too many of them, insist on living in the flood plains and beaches where any sizable increase in water puts them under water. I don't want to seem crass, but, if you are going to build your dream house in an area that has a history of flooding... you pays your money and you takes your chances. Trouble is, all of the rest of us have to pay to bail your dumb asses out through exorbitant insurance costs.

But I digress. The reason this is the best thing to happen to the state in many a year is because of all of the rain. Specifically because of where all of this rain is falling... on the central highlands.

Florida is in a water crisis. Our creeks and rivers are at record low levels and our magnificent springs are flowing at 50% of their historical rate. Once abundant lakes are now grass pastures. The grand Okefenokee Swamp, the headwaters of the Suwanee River, is nearly dry and has been ravaged by wild fires that have burned tens of thousands of acres, devastating one of our most important wildlife refuges. The Floridan Aquifer, once thought to be an inexhaustible source of pure water, has flat dried up in some areas. The central highlands that run right up the center of the state are the primary recharge areas of the aquifer. For years those of us concerned with this vital resource have prayed for a slow moving tropical storm to replenish it. We finally got what we've prayed for. But it won't be enough.

Sadly, there will be heartbreak and loss suffered by many people. But it's inevitable. Our state is so over-developed, over-abused, and over-populated that it is difficult to imagine a sustainable model for it. Florida is soon to reach a population of 20-million people, making it the third largest state in the union (behind California and Texas). Who would have ever thought that we would one day be larger than New York? Although, I guess it's understandable since half of New York has moved here.

From my perspective, Thank You God! We can deal with flood and storm damage. We cannot deal with the loss of the one thing needed by every living creature... water.

Debby's storm clouds moving in over the marsh on Big Talbot Island.
Surf beginning to kick up in Nassau Sound.  One of the downsides to storms is the loss of the centuries old cedars and oaks along the shore.

On a lighter note... Summer Solstice sunset from our dock.


15 comments:

  1. I agree, the heavy rains are a good thing overall, even if it means tragedy for some people. A lot of regions have way too many people for the environment to handle. Other coastal areas, the desert, the plains -- they're all fragile and intricate eco-systems that weren't meant to have tens of millions of people living and multiplying in them.

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    1. That description pretty much applies to the entire state of Florida.

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  2. It's hard to imagine forest fires in a swamp, but I know it happens. Nice pics!

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    1. Thanks Jono. The Okefenokee is mostly forest. Cypress forest.

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  3. I don't want to seem crass, but, if you are going to build your dream house in an area that has a history of flooding... you pays your money and you takes your chances.

    I am actually old enough to remember when the average beach house on the section of coastal South Carolina I grew up on was a warped and shabby construction so that when a hurricane came and it was blown away it was a relatively small affair to rebuild. In fact the motto Pawleys Island lived by was "arrogantly shabby." The other type of beach front house I remember from my childhood was a cinder block construction with four walls that would be quick to loose the roof and everything inside but those damn four-walls could have withstood a nuclear blast.

    After Hurricane Hugo that all went out the door with McMansions built on the beach and huge upper middle class subdivisions built on the west edge of Highway 17 in genuine swamps.

    Its something I keep bringing up time and time again but rising sea levels and stronger storms will eventually end this coastal dream home insanity and return everything pretty much back to the ways things were.

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    1. I know what you mean BB. My uncle used to have a lot at the beach with a fresh water well and a gazebo. A nice place to spend the day but expendable.

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  4. 1. You wrote what I am thinking.
    2. Glad to note you know it's "Floridan Aquifer" and not "Floridian."
    3. Love the pictures.

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    1. Thanks Pixel. You know what I'm talking about. You live in the heart of it.

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  5. beautiful solstice image. happy solstice, belated.
    sometimes, the perfect storm has a character and wisdom of her own; thoughtful post, as usual.

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    1. Yes, the Solstice was nice. Now, in its fourth day, the storm is moving out of the area and we can assess the cost/benefit.

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  6. As always, good food for thought. I've always adored the water, and would love to live on property overlooking the ocean, but I remember too well seeing all the destroyed homes after a hurricane hit MD and DE back in the '50s. Made me think twice about ever living that close to the water. Not sure, but I'm thinking a lot of those homes back then weren't even built up on stilts. (or whatever the proper term for them is) We could sure use some of that rain up our way. Supposed to hit 102 degrees here from Friday to Sunday, and still, nary a drop of rain in sight.

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    1. Know what you mean Susan. Atlanta weather began going dry in the 70's and the drought has increased slowly since. The last time I saw Lanier I was shocked at how low it was. The Chattahoochee as well. Hope you get some too.

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  7. Great pics and important thought. Florida's swamps are one of the world's great wetlands. But what wetland survives without water.

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    1. Thanks Squirrel. It's a shame people look at wetlands as worthless swamps. How ignorant.

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  8. From the NW section of the state, I feel your pain. We did not receive as much water as we needed, although the several inches we did receive were very welcome.

    It's just another case of greed and money over anything else though. 10 years ago Panama City Beach was tacky. Seriously, cheap motels built without much investment, for just this reason. Now? Condos. Everywhere. I live less than 2 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, but must drive 10 miles to find a place that is 'open to the public'

    "Private beaches"

    Don't get me started. (or allow me to continue)

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