Hurricane Beryl

By: Grace Xie

Coastal erosion is a growing problem in the modern world, and one cause is storms. Hurricane Beryl exemplifies one such storm that hit Texas, and as it's now the middle hurricane season in the United States, we should take the time to understand the status quo, how storms cause erosion, and how erosion can be slowed or prevented.

Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas on July 8, 2024 as a category one hurricane. It traveled from Matagorda Bay to Houson, then to Louisiana and Arkansas, where it weakened into a post tropical cyclone. While Beryl brought flooding and strong winds to multiple states, it primarily impacted Texas’s coastal areas, causing disastrous coastal erosion. However, storms aren’t the only cause of such environmental degradation. In addition to extreme weather and natural wave action, various man-made factors, such as construction near shorelines, sand mining, and deforestation can also cause coastal erosion. Nevertheless, the detrimental impact of Hurricane Beryl has emphasized the role of storms in coastal erosion, especially as Texas is now in the midst of another hurricane season. Thus, it’s crucial to raise awareness about the natural causes of coastal erosion, its effects, and how it can be slowed.

First, coastal erosion is not a myth and neither has it been a recent development. It might seem difficult to notice the changes, but sea level rise and erosion are gradual processes that don’t simply happen overnight. It’s been progressing for more than 100 years, albeit at a faster rate in recent years. The Texas General Land Office finds that the state’s 367 mile coastline erodes at an average rate of 4.1 feet per year. Low coastal areas, such as Galveston Island, may be underwater by 2050. Storms, such as Hurricane Beryl, primarily erode land with powerful waves, currents, and storm surges that remove sediment. One type of erosion is overwash, where waves deposit sand inland after carrying it over dunes. The coastline then retreats inward. Additionally, the most common type of coastal erosion is wave action. In this process, plunging breakers, a type of breaking wave, traps and compresses air between the wave and shore. As a result of the wave’s large size and immense pressure, large amounts of sediment are moved away from the coastline. Such energy is difficult for beaches to absorb, and this type of wave is exacerbated by storms.

Second, coastal erosion impacts the ecosystem and our communities. A growing number of people live near or on the coast, and coastal properties are worth significant amounts of money. This makes property losses a major risk. The tourism industry, in particular, is hit hard by coastal degradation, as many businesses rely on tourism revenue that will disappear when erosion destroys beaches. People who reside in high-risk areas may also lose their homes and face evacuation to a higher area, of which Indigenous and low-income households are the most disadvantaged. The environment is also affected by rising sea levels. Ecosystems, such as marshes, wetlands, and mangrove forests, are home to a diverse range of species that also support industries such as tourism and fishing. However, the loss of nutrients and increasing salinification of these freshwater areas threatens wildlife. 

Luckily, there are methods that can slow or reverse erosion. One such way is beach nourishment, where sand is added to a beach to act as a buffer against the waves. However, this method has become controversial, as it may wash out again or may harm natural resources. Another method is coastal restoration, which is more cost effective. This often includes restoring land through replanting vegetation, replenishing sediment, and creating wetlands that reintroduce biodiversity and slow down erosion. Many coastal nonprofits often have programs that allow volunteers to help with restoration.

As storms become more common, it’s crucial to be aware of their impacts on erosion. Although steps have been taken to combat the erosion of Texas’s coast as well as areas around the world, it may not be enough to prevent the progressing retreat of the coastline. More action must be taken, even if it’s one small step at a time.

Sources:

https://www.glo.texas.gov/coastal/protecting-coast/coastal-erosion

https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/climate-change-houston-texas-underwater-2050/285-