VILLANOVA, PA — A research team from Villanova University is advancing the understanding of hurricane impacts on Florida’s coasts in the wake of Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Led by Dr. Jonathan Hubler, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, and graduate student Sarah Burghardt, the team worked alongside scientists from the NEER and GEER Associations to examine storm effects and develop strategies to mitigate future damage.
Supported by the National Science Foundation, the team conducted on-site investigations in October 2024, collecting data across more than 750 miles of Florida’s coastline. Key study areas included storm surge, sediment erosion, debris accumulation, and the performance of shoreline protection systems. Surveys spanned numerous locations, including Cedar Key, Vero Beach, and Port St. Lucie, with comprehensive data drawn from pre-storm and post-storm conditions.
According to Dr. Hubler, this unique effort allowed researchers to capture comparisons between pre-existing data and immediate storm aftermath, offering insights critical to reducing future storm damage. The collected dataset is expected to improve risk assessments and bolster protection measures for vulnerable coastal regions.
Findings from this study will be made publicly available through NSF’s Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure database and shared with impacted Florida communities. Through these efforts, the Villanova team aims to enhance preparedness and resilience as communities face increasingly severe tropical storms.
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