Breach through barrier island, Pine Beach,
AL:
The island was severed by a breach that may have developed as the back bay
drained excess water following the peak of the storm surge, although the breach
could have been initiated by waves and surge from the Gulf side. More analyses
are required to determine the forcing processes. |
Collapsed five-story building, Romar Beach, AL:
The lower two floors of the five-story building in the center of
these photos have collapsed and the third floor has fallen to ground level.
Erosion in front of the buildings undermined pools and walkways, and perhaps the
buildings themselves (although the failure mode must await analysis by
structural engineers.) Note the sandy overwash deposits that were driven
landward between the buildings by storm waves and currents. |
Collapsed front of multistory building, Orange Beach,
AL:
This five-story building was perched on top of a dune that was
eroded during Hurricane Ivan. The Gulf-front portion of the building collapsed.
Compare the pilings in the pre and post-photos of the house adjacent to the
multi-story structure to determine the scale of vertical erosion of the dune. In
the post-storm photo, the lower, unpainted portions of the pilings were below
sand level prior to Hurricane Ivan. |
Destroyed houses on top of a dune, Orange Beach,
AL:
These houses were on built top of a dune that was severely eroded during Ivan.
Note the walkways in the pre-storm photo that once served as pathways down to
the beach. |
