Apalachicola
About ApalachicolaApalachicola is the county seat of Franklin County, Florida. The city was first settled as a British trading post, called Cottonton, adjacent to the mouth of the Apalachicola River. At the 2010 U.S. Census, the city's population was 2,231, or approximately 1,000 people less than its maximum population in 1940. Oyster and shrimp harvesting are mainstays of Apalachicola's economy; approximately 90% of Florida's oyster production comes from Apalachicola Bay. However, yields have declined somewhat in recent years.
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Storm Surge HistoryThe U-Surge Project has identified high water marks for 41 hurricanes and tropical storms at Apalachicola since 1900. Water levels reached 10 ft (3.05 m) above Annual Mean Sea Level on two separate occasions; from an unnamed hurricane in 1903 and Hurricane Elena in 1985. Models suggest that Apalachee Bay, a large body of water east of Apalachicola, has the potential to observe some of the highest storm surge levels in the United States. Fortunately, this area observes less hurricane strikes than many other areas along the Gulf Coast.
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Infographics
The U-Surge Project has identified 41 tropical surge events at Apalachicola since 1900. This histogram ranks water levels from highest (Rank = 1) to lowest (Rank = 41). Hurricane Michael generated a storm tide 8.25 feet above the Annual Adjusted Mean Sea Level (AAMSL), or Mean Sea Level for 2018 for this storm. This water level ranks 3rd on record, behind an unnamed hurricane (1903) and Hurricane Elena (1985), which both produced water levels 10 feet above AAMSL.
This time series provides the maximum water levels of 41 recorded tropical surge events in Apalachicola since 1900. These events are ordered chronologically from oldest (left) to newest (right). The numerous low-magnitude events from 1996- present are influenced by both climate and data availability, as a NOAA tide gauge at this location provides data since 1996. On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael generated a storm tide reaching 8.57 feet, which ranks as the 3rd highest event on record.
Statistics/ Return Period
The U-Surge Project has calculated extreme water levels for Apalachicola, including the heights of the 500, 200, 100, 50, 25 and 10-year storm surge levels. These data-driven water levels are typically higher than FEMA's model-driven data, with the 100-year water level ranging from 2-4 ft higher than FEMA's 100-year level for most cities. Extreme water level analysis is available upon request. Email: [email protected].
Sea Level Rise and Future Extreme Water Levels
The U-Surge Project has documented historic sea level rise and various sea level rise projections for Apalachicola. Sea Level Rise projections are added to extreme water levels (section above) to enable users to estimate future extremes in a changing climate. Sea level rise and future extreme water levels are available upon request. Email: [email protected].
Capture Area for Storm Surge Data
Storm surge data are taken from the area of a circle with a 1-mile radius, centered in Apalachicola at 29.7235N, -84.9891W. If multiple observations are available for a surge event we use the highest water level from within the circular area.
Maps of Highest Storm Surges
An unnamed hurricane in 1903 generated a 10-ft (3.05 m) storm tide above an unknown datum at Apalachicola. This ties
for the highest magnitude coastal flood event on record in this location.
for the highest magnitude coastal flood event on record in this location.
Hurricane Elena (1985) generated a 10-ft (3.05 m) storm surge in Apalachicola. This ties for the highest magnitude
coastal flood event on record in this location.
coastal flood event on record in this location.
Data Sources
1. Tide Gauge Data
Verified Hourly Water Level Data from NOAA Tides and Currents
April 1, 1976- Present
Verified 6-min Water Level Data from NOAA Tides and Currents
January 1, 1996-Present
Coordinates: Lat: 29.725N, Lon: 84.98W
Link: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/stationhome.html?id=8728690
2. Other Scientific Sources and anecdotal
See Needham and Keim (2012) for other scientific and anecdotal sources used to build Apalachicola storm surge data.
Verified Hourly Water Level Data from NOAA Tides and Currents
April 1, 1976- Present
Verified 6-min Water Level Data from NOAA Tides and Currents
January 1, 1996-Present
Coordinates: Lat: 29.725N, Lon: 84.98W
Link: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/stationhome.html?id=8728690
2. Other Scientific Sources and anecdotal
See Needham and Keim (2012) for other scientific and anecdotal sources used to build Apalachicola storm surge data.
The NOAA tide gauge at Apalachicola provides hourly and 6-min water levels since January 1, 1996.
Multi-Media
Hurricane Elena (1985)
Visible satellite image of Hurricane Elena in 1985. Source: NOAA
Hurricane Dennis (2005)
Battery Park baseball field in Apalachicola flooded during Hurricane Dennis [Original Source- Click Photo]
Streets flooded in Apalachicola during Hurricane Dennis [Original Source - Click Photo]
Hurricane Michael (2018)
