A small town in Texas could be preparing for a big change!
For years Galveston, Texas has been at the mercy of Gulf coast hurricanes that push seawater inland (storm surges), causing flooding and tremendous damage.
Though the eastern half of the island is protected by a seawall, most of the island is still vulnerable. But all that is about to change...
A new project is in the works to build a dike in Galveston Bay. Let's find out more.
What Is The Ike Dike?
As with most coastal cities, Galveston is in constant danger of hurricanes and rising sea levels. A dike - a barrier used to hold back water - is exactly what the city needs.
Bill Merrel, a professor at Texas A&M University in Galveston, came up with the idea for the Ike Dike after being inspired by floodgates he saw in the Netherlands. Merrel believes that the Ike Dike could be built using the same technology used in the Netherlands and will help shield the Galveston and Houston areas from storm surges that could destroy valuable infrastructure.
The Ike Dike will consist of an 18-mile barrier to be built around the backside of the island, and floodgates about 650 feet wide -- that's like laying a 60-story building on its side!
Hurricane Ike, The Storm Behind The Name
In September of 2008, Hurricane Ike devastated the Gulf coast. The storm took 195 lives and caused about $30 billion in damages. It leveled entire towns and destroyed everything in its path. The sheer amount of devastation prompted the World Meteorological Organization to retire the name Ike from the list of hurricane names, out of respect for those affected. This is where the Ike Dike gets its name.
Moving Forward
The Ike Dike has been being discussed for years, but it seems it may soon become reality.
President Biden recently signed an $858 billion defense bill that includes funding for projects that are vital to protecting the nation from climate-related disasters. The bill sets aside $34 billion to protect the Texas coast, which includes funding for the Ike Dike. The project is expected to take nearly two decades to complete, so the sooner the project is started the better!
With the climate crisis, many more coastal cities are likely to see rising sea levels, increased flooding, and bigger storm surges -- and projects like the Ike Dike will be needed. With the National Defence Authorization Act, hopefully, coastal cities will receive the help they need.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides an interactive map that shows the effects of rising sea levels in the U.S. How will rising sea levels affect your community? Click on the map and share in the comment section below.
Sources: CBS, ABC, PBS, Tamug, Houston Chronicle, Chron
