The ***** in the armor has always been the vulnerable power grid. Just dangling there above the ground hung between poles and so many substations protected by just chain link fences and barbed wire.
Preparing for the Big One
Hello all,
I wrote this piece on how preparing for Irma has been an ongoing process really since Andrew.
What are your thoughts, and in what ways should we be continuing to prepare in the future? Where are the ****** in the armour?
https://miami-grid.com/2017/09/14/irma-a-storm-25-years-in-the-making/
I wrote this piece on how preparing for Irma has been an ongoing process really since Andrew.
What are your thoughts, and in what ways should we be continuing to prepare in the future? Where are the ****** in the armour?
https://miami-grid.com/2017/09/14/irma-a-storm-25-years-in-the-making/
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Enjoyed the read. Very much agreed with much of what you said. There is really no question that the post-1992 building codes (and apparent adherence to them) makes a big difference in a storm. I think this was most evident in Naples...which took a big hit but most of the newer structures seem to have done fine on balance.
That said, we should never forget that a direct hit on South Florida by a Cat 4 or 5 would do catastrophic damage regardless of our best efforts. Tidal surge alone would potentially devastate and make some areas uninhabitable for months. There's really no sound defense against that...and fortunately it's not something we've endured in anyone's lifetime aside from Andrew...which as horrendous as it was still hit far south of the main populated and developed parts of the metro area.
But our defenses against a lesser hit? Yes, clearly improved...albeit agreed with dave above.
That said, we should never forget that a direct hit on South Florida by a Cat 4 or 5 would do catastrophic damage regardless of our best efforts. Tidal surge alone would potentially devastate and make some areas uninhabitable for months. There's really no sound defense against that...and fortunately it's not something we've endured in anyone's lifetime aside from Andrew...which as horrendous as it was still hit far south of the main populated and developed parts of the metro area.
But our defenses against a lesser hit? Yes, clearly improved...albeit agreed with dave above.
I think the FPL ***** is an important one. Driving around it is evident that the biggest damages are foliage and electric lines. If building codes have to adhere themselves to a higher standard, then electric poles should have a standard as well. Not all at once, but as maintenance happens, they should require things like tie downs, or deeper footings, or burying all together?
I wonder if there is anyone working on that legislation.
I wonder if there is anyone working on that legislation.
I'm sure there are some hard at work on that legislation right now. Just as I'm sure FPL lobbyist are hard at work undoing and defenestrating all that legislation right now.
Removal of business friendly gov Scott is a necessary precursor to any of that legislation moving forward. Otherwise it's a waste of time and going nowhere. Sorry for the cynical viewpoint.
Removal of business friendly gov Scott is a necessary precursor to any of that legislation moving forward. Otherwise it's a waste of time and going nowhere. Sorry for the cynical viewpoint.
Trees vs. Powerlines
A great piece in the Herald on this subject.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article174730516.html
A great piece in the Herald on this subject.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article174730516.html
Yeah its kinda funny hearing Gables bitch about being without power for so long. I live very near Northeast Grove (the area with all the peacocks all over the place) and some of those guys just got power back a few days ago, they've been down for that long. All these rich people want their "deep amazon jungle canopy" where it almost looks like nighttime on the ground at noon on a blue sky day (Example University Dr. right at CG library and youth center). I don't blame them, it looks beautiful, but they are unwilling to prune it back (or let FPL do so) when a storm comes to give a better chance to save the tree and cause less damage and chance for power outage to the surrounding area. And it's especially galling to the rest of us, after the storm, when they try to litigate their way to getting special treatment to get the power back on after a storm.
It seems a general rule of thumb, that the more trees in your area the more damage you have from the storm. Or rather the more of a certain type of tree (non native, many leaves and shallow roots that aren't built by nature to withstand hurricanes, *cough* ficus tree *cough*). Palm trees for example have kinda shallow roots but are built to allow the fronds to rip off and the stalk provides almost no wind resistance then. After the storm the fronds just grow back.
However FPL hardly helps their situation with how they carelessly prune some trees. Like cutting down the middle to make a Y. If that doesn't kill the tree outright it makes it such an eyesore it might as well be removed. Maybe if FPL would be a bit more careful in making the prune look well done and thought out, they would get less resistance from rich neighborhoods on pruning trees.
It seems a general rule of thumb, that the more trees in your area the more damage you have from the storm. Or rather the more of a certain type of tree (non native, many leaves and shallow roots that aren't built by nature to withstand hurricanes, *cough* ficus tree *cough*). Palm trees for example have kinda shallow roots but are built to allow the fronds to rip off and the stalk provides almost no wind resistance then. After the storm the fronds just grow back.
However FPL hardly helps their situation with how they carelessly prune some trees. Like cutting down the middle to make a Y. If that doesn't kill the tree outright it makes it such an eyesore it might as well be removed. Maybe if FPL would be a bit more careful in making the prune look well done and thought out, they would get less resistance from rich neighborhoods on pruning trees.
As someone who walks/takes busses/Rides bike, the shading provided by the trees on that street look awesome to me. Most streets in Miami have little to no shade from the sun, making it a nightmare to walk/bike when the sun is out.
I actually bookmarked your blog a few weeks ago Shaanmiami. Great site, keep up the great work.
I actually bookmarked your blog a few weeks ago Shaanmiami. Great site, keep up the great work.
Thanks @xerxesjc28
I think the biggest problem is non-native trees. The primary offenders tend to be ficus', banyans, and weed trees. Oaks and palms tend to stay upright. As residents of Miami, we all know how amazing shade trees our to our commutes and daily lives. They are a necessary part of life here, and good for everything from climate control to air quality.
As the Herald article says, there is a slow trend for cities to remove invasive trees and replace them. This program has been missing its targets in Coral Gables and other cities, but this storm should potentially speed up this process. I am not sure what else could speed it up. There are already massive tree mitigation protocols necessary when trees are removed. An analysis of the right of ways and trees might be in order?
I think the biggest problem is non-native trees. The primary offenders tend to be ficus', banyans, and weed trees. Oaks and palms tend to stay upright. As residents of Miami, we all know how amazing shade trees our to our commutes and daily lives. They are a necessary part of life here, and good for everything from climate control to air quality.
As the Herald article says, there is a slow trend for cities to remove invasive trees and replace them. This program has been missing its targets in Coral Gables and other cities, but this storm should potentially speed up this process. I am not sure what else could speed it up. There are already massive tree mitigation protocols necessary when trees are removed. An analysis of the right of ways and trees might be in order?
Banyan trees can do ok but people need to let the trunk grow outwards and allow its massive root system to spread out to match its huge canopy. People always try to hem them in so they get too top heavy.Thanks @xerxesjc28
I think the biggest problem is non-native trees. The primary offenders tend to be ficus', banyans, and weed trees. Oaks and palms tend to stay upright. As residents of Miami, we all know how amazing shade trees our to our commutes and daily lives. They are a necessary part of life here, and good for everything from climate control to air quality.
As the Herald article says, there is a slow trend for cities to remove invasive trees and replace them. This program has been missing its targets in Coral Gables and other cities, but this storm should potentially speed up this process. I am not sure what else could speed it up. There are already massive tree mitigation protocols necessary when trees are removed. An analysis of the right of ways and trees might be in order?
I wrote this article as a response to what we've been talking about here!
Thanks for the input.
https://miami-grid.com/2017/09/27/fpl-in-a-post-irma-florida/
Thanks for the input.
https://miami-grid.com/2017/09/27/fpl-in-a-post-irma-florida/
Sunny Isles has been paying for and going through the inconvenience of putting all of their lines below ground. Coral Gables has much more land to cover with less density, still I think they should start to do the same. It may take decades to complete the whole city but it would eliminate a big problem.
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