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Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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CSI papers 1
The Impact of Recent Tropical Storms and Hurricanes on Dominica's Beaches
Arlington James,
Forestry & Wildlife Division, Dominica
Abstract
The impacts of nine tropical weather systems on Dominica between 1979 and 1995 are documented. All of these storms impacted the island's beaches, although the most severe were Hurricane David in 1979, Hurricane Klaus in 1984, Hurricanes Gabrielle and Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Luis in 1995. Most beaches experienced severe erosion. Some sandy beaches were replaced by boulders e.g. at Scotts Head, Rock-a-Way Beach, Belle Hall Beach and Toucarie Beach. At only one site, Batali, the beach had widened as a result of the hurricanes. The loss of coastal vegetation in many places has left the shoreline unprotected and more vulnerable to subsequent storm events. Despite the erosion caused by the hurricanes, illegal sand mining continues. It is recommended that the effectiveness of the Beach Control Ordinance be re-examined and that setback limits for developments close to the beach be enforced.
