Which Seawall Material Is Right for You?

November 17, 2022 by gibson Leave a Comment

If you own a property on the Florida waterfront, you know just how important your seawall is to the protection and value of your property. It’s essential to have a seawall structure in place that will prevent erosion, protect against storm damage, and even enhance the look of the property from the water.

Seawall Material Recommendations

With the variety of options for the materials used to build your seawall, how do you know which option is right for your property? These explanations can help you to make an informed decision.

Rip Rap Seawall Material

A rip rap (or stone) seawall adds stability to the shoreline while giving your property a natural look. The rip rap consists of rocks, stone or other material arranged to prevent erosion from water. While this option is most commonly used on shorelines of creeks and rivers, it can be used anywhere that erosion from water is a possibility.

Rip rap not only looks natural, but it also provides a great habitat for wildlife! Especially when the tide is high, rip rap seawall materials offer an ideal shelter for small marine animals.

It is important that rip rap is installed properly. Gibson Marine Construction installs an underlayment before adding the rip rap materials. This paramount layer provides stability and support. And, once the underlayment is installed, Florida fieldstone or lime rock is installed over it at a 2:1 ratio with rock between 8” and 24”.

Wood Seawalls and Wood Capped Seawall Material Options

Wood seawalls are another material option that can provide a natural look and has a lower initial installation cost. But it is important that properly treated wood is used at installation to avoid rot. Gibson Marine Construction uses all marine-grade material for our wood seawalls. Depending on the environment, this option could provide many years of service.

However, wood seawalls are prone to factors that could require more-frequent repairs or replacement, so alternative options may better suit your property. A wood capped seawall can provide the same esthetic, but with better supporting materials below the wood cap, it can also provide better stability and last longer.

Vinyl Seawall Material

Vinyl seawalls, also known as PVC seawalls, have many benefits that exceed the other two options. Although they don’t offer the natural look that rip rap or wood seawalls provide, vinyl seawalls do, however, provide much greater protection from the elements. Plus, our vinyl seawalls are backed by a 50-year warranty against rust, rot, corrosion, falling prey to marine bores, or UV damage from the sun.

Vinyl seawalls are typically easier to install and are extremely durable which could add up to cost savings both upfront, and over time. Vinyl seawalls are resistant to the natural elements such as sun, wind, and water, as well as marine-boring critters that target wood seawalls.

Seawall Installation and Repair Experts

No matter which seawall material you choose, Gibson Marine Construction can install any option. Whether it’s rip rap, wood, wood capped, or vinyl, we can make your waterfront property safer and more beautiful with a new seawall!

Or if your seawall is in need a repair, we can help there too! Contact us today if you have any questions about our seawall materials and services.

How to Prepare Your Boat and Boat Lift for a Hurricane or Major Storm

September 27, 2022 by gibson Leave a Comment

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Ian was upgraded to a Category 3 storm early Tuesday morning, September 27, 2022. A category 3 storm is considered a major hurricane, meaning it has the potential to cause devastating or catastrophic wind damage and major loss of life. With hurricanes of this magnitude, it is of the utmost importance to fortify your property as best possible.

In order to protect your boat and boat lift for a hurricane or major storm, keep these tips in mind:

Preparing Your Boat for a Major Storm

If you have enough time to do so, the best way to protect your boat during a hurricane or major storm is to remove it from your boat lift and put it in a garage or boat storage facility. Outdoor storage farther inland and away from the potential storm surge can be an option. If you cannot remove your boat, raise the dock lift as high as you can to try to keep the boat above the storm surge. And don’t forget to secure your boat to the lift. Also, remove plugs from your boat so water can drain out and not overload your lift.

If you cannot remove your boat and your boat lift’s cradle doesn’t rise high enough to keep it above the potential storm surge, there are extra steps to take. It is still advisable to raise your boat as high as the boat lift goes, secure your boat to the lift, and use long ropes to secure your boat to anchor points. Even if the storm surge lifts your boat off the boat lift, the long anchor ropes will help to keep it near your property.

Preparing Your Boat Lift for a Potential Storm

For boat owners able to remove the boat from the boat lift, the best way to prepare a boat lift for a major storm is to lower the cradle on the lift all the way to the bottom. Leaving the cradle in the water prevents it from swaying the winds or being lashed harshly by waves in a storm surge, thus protecting the lift itself and the dock.

If your boat lift has a low-profile installation, it is possible the tide surge could bring corrosive saltwater right into your boat lift motors, switches, and covers. Remove these items from your lift and store in a safe, dry place. Those with a sealed direct-drive system should remove the gear unit as well. Before you do though, lower the cable down to its lowest point as the cable will free spool back down regardless. Last but not least, tighten all the nuts and bolts on the lift so you don’t lose any small parts during a potential storm.

The 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season

June 1, 2022 by gibson Leave a Comment

The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season officially kicks off today, June 1, 2022 and will run through the end of November. Learn what the experts are predicting for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.

The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project, a respected authority on hurricanes is predicting a busy Atlantic hurricane season in 2022. Here are the numbers:

19 named storms
9 hurricanes
4 major hurricanes

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service is predicting the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season to have:

14-21 named storms
6-10 hurricanes
3-6 major hurricanes

Another Above-Average Hurricane Season in 2022

Meteorologists at NOAA are estimating a 65% chance of 2022 being another above-normal hurricane season. And this year is likely to have increased activity due to several climate factors, including:

Current conditions favoring La Niña
Above average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea
Weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds
Enhanced West African monsoon season

La Niña Advisory (NOAA)

NOAA is maintaining a La Niña Advisory, saying that La Niña is favored to continue through the summer with a 59% chance of remaining into July, August, and September. There is also just over a 50% chance of La Niña persisting into the fall. And if La Niña lasts into the winter, we could see a very rare third consecutive La Niña, which has only ever occurred twice since 1950, when they started keeping records.

The continuation of La Niña signals the likelihood of stronger for longer and potentially more damaging hurricanes. Just take a look at the previous two La Niña hurricane seasons. The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season produced 21 named storms, the third most on record. While the prior season (2020), was a record-breaking season, with thirty named storms, including a record seven major hurricanes.

Are You Prepared for the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season?

Knowing your hurricane risk and knowing your hurricane evacuation route are two of the most important items to check off of your list.

Pinellas County, Florida Hurricane Evacuation Zone Changes for 2022 Hurricane Season

Pinellas County, Florida recently updated hurricane evacuation zones for the 2022 hurricane season. This change has affected approximately 48K households – many of which were moved from a lower-risk zone to a higher-risk zone. To look up your evacuation zone or learn about evacuation zone changes visit the Pinellas County Storm Tools website page.

Springtime Landscaping Tips

April 4, 2022 by gibson Leave a Comment

Springtime Landscaping Tips

The temperatures are climbing, trees and bushes are donning their new green spring coats, lawnmowers are firing up for the first time after a long winter. That can only mean one thing: Spring has sprung!

With the renewal that spring brings, following suit with your landscaping chores is, or at least should be, at the front of your mind. Here are a few landscaping tips to get the outside of your home ready to enjoy.

Start Springtime Landscaping by Inspecting Your Trees and Shrubs

Trees are very valuable assets to your landscape – not only because of the beauty they provide, but also because they act as wind breakers, provide shade, and help to hold soil in place. You will want to inspect both your trees and shrubs to make sure they are healthy. Remove dead or dying branches, broken branches, and crossing branches. You may want to trim them back some too, encouraging a solid structure, plus keeping them nice and tidy. It also helps to prevent rogue limbs from causing damage to other structures, fencing, power lines, etc.

Preparing Your Perennial Beds

The next stop should be your perennial beds – good examples of these are your ornamental grasses, butterfly bushes and spireas. Depending on the plant, a good rule of thumb is to cut these back to between 2” and 8” from the soil. Conversely, you’ll want to hold off pruning some of your flowering bushes like your lilacs, forsythia, magnolias, or azaleas. Plan to prune these in late spring or early in the summer instead.

Testing Your Soil

When working in your plant beds, take a few minutes to evaluate how your soil looks. Healthy soil has moisture and life – living roots and living organisms, such as insects or worms. Unhealthy soil typically appears to be dry, crumbling, cracked, and/or compacted.

If you have concerns about soil health, inexpensive soil testing kits can be bought online or at your local home improvement stores. There are also some do-it-yourself options online that use some standard pantry items. Testing your soil can help you to determine if and what nutrients may be missing from your soil. Fertilizer can be added to soil with insufficient nutrients, but before doing so, you should always check with state and local governments regarding usage rules and regulations for your area.

Moving onto Mulch

Be sure to thicken up the mulch in your beds and around your trees to at least 1” but no more than 3”. You’ll want to ensure your mulch is lying flat and isn’t pushing up against the tree trunks. Adding mulch helps to maintain moisture, control weeds, and prevent soil erosion. It also aids in insulating the roots, helping to keep them cool and protected from the hot Florida sun. And above all, mulch beautifies your landscape. Plus, the mulch rings around your trees and shrubs will prevent damage from your mower and weed eater.

Springtime Landscaping Services from Gibson Outdoors

If your springtime landscaping leaves more to be desired, Gibson Outdoors landscaping services can help you – by designing the perfect landscaping plan for your Florida property. Contact Gibson Outdoors via the website contact form to learn more.

The Official End of the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season

November 30, 2021 by gibson Leave a Comment

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on November 30, 2021. Experts predicted that it would be another active, above average hurricane season. Let’s see how accurate the expert’s predictions were and how it compares to previous seasons.

How Did the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season Compare to Expert Predictions?

The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project, a respected authority on hurricanes predicted an above-average 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. They predicted the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season to have:

17 named storms
8 hurricanes
4 major hurricanes

The expert predictions by the Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project forecasters were fairly accurate. As of November 30, 2021, the Atlantic hurricane season experienced:

21 named storms
7 hurricanes
4 major hurricanes

2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season: Named Storms

There were 21 total named storms in 2021, which was 4 more named storms than the CSU experts predicted. These included: Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Elsa, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Julian, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor, and Wanda.

2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season: Hurricanes and Major Hurricanes

Only 7 of the named storms reached hurricane strength, just 1 less than predicted. And four of those hurricanes reached major hurricane status, the exact number the CSU experts predicted. These included: Elsa, Grace, Henri, Ida, Larry, Nicholas, and Sam.

June 2021 Hurricanes

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season started out early and busy with four major storms forming in June. Elsa was the fourth and last storm in June, and the first of the season to reach hurricane strength. Hurricane Elsa reached category 1 status crossing the Gulf of Mexico, but lost strength and was downgraded to a tropical storm before making landfall along the Florida panhandle.

August 2021 Hurricanes

In August, Grace was the second hurricane of the season, and the first major hurricane of the season, reaching category 3 strength during it’s 9 day track across the North Atlantic Ocean. Grace first impacted the Leeward Islands and Greater Antilles as a tropical storm before reaching hurricane status heading toward the Yucatán Peninsula. Grace rapidly intensified into a category 3 hurricane with winds reaching 125 mph before making landfall in Veracruz at peak intensity. Hurricane Grace was responsible for a total of 15 people losing their lives.

Another August hurricane, Henri reached category 1 storm status. And as Henri travelled northbound in the Atlantic Ocean, the hurricane missed making landfall along most of the Atlantic coastline until reaching New England.

Arriving at the end of August, Hurricane Ida was the strongest major storm of the season to make landfall, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, reaching category 4 status. Ida made landfall along the Louisiana coast, just south of New Orleans. There were 115 deaths and $65 billion in damage attributed to Hurricane Ida. This earned Hurricane Ida a place on the list of the top ten costliest hurricanes of all time.

September 2021 Hurricanes

Historically, September is typically one of the most active months, and 2021 was no exception. Of the 9 storms recorded in September, the majority (6) only reached tropical storm strength. But 3 went on to gain greater strength, reaching hurricane status. Nicholas was the first hurricane in September to make landfall in Texas as a category 1 hurricane.

Hurricane Larry bypassed making landfall in the United States altogether, gaining strength along the way and growing into a category 3 hurricane. But as Larry headed toward the coast of Canada, the hurricane lost strength, only making landfall in Newfoundland as a category 1 storm.

Sam, the last hurricane of September and the last of the official 2021 hurricane season, was the most powerful of the season. Hurricane Sam reached sustained winds of 155 mph, a category 4 status. Fortunately, Sam never made landfall before dissipating over the Atlantic Ocean.

How Does the 2021 Season Compare to Previous Seasons?

The average number of hurricanes each season (averaged out over 30 years):

12 named storms
6 hurricanes
2 major hurricanes

When comparing the 2021 season to seasonal averages (above), the 2021 season was relatedly active. The 2021 season had 9 more named storms, 1 more hurricane, and two more major hurricanes than the average.

But the previous hurricane season (2020) was just the opposite. The 2020 season blew past predictions, breaking numerous records along the way. So, when compared to the previous hurricane season (2020), the 2021 hurricane season felt relatedly quiet.

Tampa Bay’s Seawall Inspection and Repair Experts, Gibson Marine Construction

Just because Tampa Bay and the surrounding communities were very fortunate this season, not suffering any direct hits by major storms, that doesn’t mean you can forego the annual seawall inspection and/or seawall repair process. There may still be damage, it just may be less visible to the naked eye.

The only way to ensure your seawall is safe and functioning properly is to have it inspected by knowledgeable experts, such as the Florida Certified Contractors at Gibson Marine Construction. Call or fill out the website contact form to schedule a seawall inspection and/or seawall repair services.

The Four Best Things About Vinyl Seawalls

November 8, 2021 by gibson Leave a Comment

Bulkheads, retaining walls, and seawalls – all of these marine construction structures may be slightly different in structure, but these barriers all perform similar functions.

What is a Seawall?

A seawall is a type of coastal defense system designed to maintain the integrity of commercial and private waterfront properties. They help protect shorelines against erosion and surge flooding, often caused by extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, tidal waves, etc.

As such, they require regular inspections and maintenance so they may continue to do the job they are designed to do.

Seawall Materials

Gibson Marine seawalls are available in a variety of materials including:

Rip rap seawalls (stone)
Vinyl seawalls (PVC)
Wood or wood-capped seawalls

Why are Vinyl Seawalls Good?

Vinyl sheet piling offers a sleek appearance that can withstand the test of time. It offers waterfront homeowners a quality product that is flexible and easier to install, thus reducing installation costs and timelines. Here are the four best things about vinyl seawalls making it a good choice:

Vinyl Seawalls are Durable

Vinyl seawalls are durable because of their resistance to damage from the harsh Florida elements, such as the intense UV rays of the sun, the rot associated with wood structures, the corrosion of traditional materials, and the destruction caused by marine borers. Thus, the heartiness of the material offers greater longevity. This makes it a popular choice for seawall projects of all shapes and scopes.

Vinyl Seawalls are Easier to Install

Most homeowners look forward to the start of their renovation projects. And after going through making all the decisions and the selection process, a big project like this can start to feel like its dragging on – never going to end. But that’s not the case with installing a vinyl seawall. Once the design and planning work is done, these seawalls are able to be erected with a speed that can’t be compared to the install of other materials.

Vinyl Seawalls Are Cost Effective

In general, vinyl seawalls are less expensive than their counterparts constructed from other materials. The main reason for this is because it requires less time and labor. With labor generally the largest component of any seawall project, this reduction in cost is a welcome one we are able to pass along to our clients

Warranty Offers Available on Vinyl Seawalls

Because they are typically not the most inexpensive structures, vinyl seawalls are also great because they carry exceptional warranties. With a reputable marine construction company like Gibson Marine, you can add a 25-year workmanship warranty on top of that! This can give you greater piece of mind.

Seawall Restoration Solutions

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection the criterion for restoring a seawall includes:

Seawall to be replaced is functional (no cracks or breaks which allow water to flow through the wall)
Replacement seawall is constructed at its previous location, upland of its previous location, or within one foot waterward of its previous location
No filling done besides that used in the actual restoration of the seawall or riprap
No construction is done without necessary title or leasehold interest, especially where private and public ownership boundaries have changed as a result of natural events such as deposition, erosion, or exposure of land due to a drop in water levels.

Alternative Solutions to Seawall Restoration

They also offer alternative options including:

Retaining walls- identical to a seawall but all portions of the wall are in the uplands. Retaining walls may be built without a permit from DEP.
Vegetation-nature’s way of preventing erosion along a shoreline. Plants can be used alone or in combination with other methods.
Riprap slopes-loose boulders, rocks, or clean concrete rubble placed along the shoreline. A permit may be required for installation of riprap slopes.

To truly effect a resilient, functional yet beautiful barrier between the water and the land, it takes craftsmanship combined with quality materials for an effective barrier system that can resist corrosion, insect infestation, and the wear and tear imposed by the sun, the tides, and the winds levied during Florida’s hurricane season. This makes vinyl seawalls an ideal solution.

Gibson Marine’s Vinyl Seawall Solutions

If you are interested in adding a vinyl seawall to your Florida waterfront property or are looking for seawall restoration solutions, contact Gibson Marine Construction to learn more. Call today for a free quote.

How to Make the Most of Your Waterfront Lifestyle

October 19, 2021 by gibson Leave a Comment

Whether you live right on the water, or your property is close by, there is a unique lifestyle afforded to those who choose to live in waterfront communities. Activities like kayaking, boating, swimming, fishing, jet skiing, and bird watching are all available right there in your very own backyard. But just as there are so many amazing benefits to living on the water, there are also some additional responsibilities too. Here are some tips for making the most of your waterfront lifestyle.

Be Prepared for Severe Weather

Coastal living means living with big storms. Whether it’s the daily summer thunderstorms or the threat of an impending hurricane, not being prepared for these types of events is a rookie move. Make sure you educate yourself (and your family) on how to prepare your waterfront property for a big storm. And don’t be afraid to practice your storm preparedness procedures! Storms can sometimes ‘come out of nowhere’ leaving property owners just a few hours (or sometimes less) to lock everything down and prepare for the onslaught of severe weather!

Stay Safe! Be Aware of the Unique Safety Hazards of Living on the Water

While it might seem like an obvious statement, there are a lot of safety hazards that homeowners can overlook, especially in regard to living on the water. To learn about some of the most common issues we often encounter when inspecting boat lifts, docks and decks, and seawalls for our clients, take a look at this post about waterfront safety. And if you have any concerns or think your structures might need some maintenance, or to be replaced, reach out to our team of experts at Gibson Marine.

Transform Your Backyard into the Water’s Edge Retreat of Your Dreams

Once you’ve done the (very important) work of preparing your family and property with a plan for severe weather and have ensured that your outdoor structures are all safe to use, it’s time to start enjoying the benefits of living on the waterfront! One of the best ways to do this is to customize your outdoor space.

Add Lighting to Your Outdoor Space

One way to add a personal touch is by incorporating some accessories into your outdoor space. Some of our most common requests are to add an assortment of lighting features. Simply adding pathway or post lights can make a dock more usable after dark. While the lighting requests we get most often from avid fishermen are for underwater lighting. Adding underwater lighting on your dock or deck can transform your space into a beautiful oasis and attract many different kinds of fish!

Enhance the Usability of Your Waterfront Space

Whether you want your backyard to feel like an extension of your living room, or you’re looking for prime sunbathing real estate, there are endless possibilities when it comes accessorizing your waterfront space. Simple add-ons such as built in benches can do double duty offering seating options and potential storage space. While higher-end options such as boat lifts or dock plumbing for outdoor showers or fish cleaning stations can offer both function and convenience.

How Will You Make the Most Out of Your Waterfront Property?

If you are looking for a little inspiration, one of our favorite resources is Pinterest, believe it or not. But, if you need some inspiration that goes beyond the computer screen, give one of our professionals a call to come out and give you personalized suggestions for how to transform your outdoor space.

Is Your Seawall Ready for Hurricane Season?

July 19, 2021 by gibson Leave a Comment

Most of the time, living on the Florida waterfront is a dream delivering amazing weather, beautiful views, and enviable access to the water just outside your door. But it can also leave you vulnerable to some of mother nature’s fury, often arriving in the form of a hurricane. Since we don’t know what this hurricane season may bring, being prepared for the worst is the best line of defense. Plus, knowing that your seawall could play a key role defending your property and (more importantly) your loved ones, you need to ensure it is in excellent condition.

How to Prepare Your Seawall So It’s Ready for Hurricane Season

There are a few simple steps you can take to get your seawall prepared to face hurricanes this season.

Inspect Your Seawall for Damage

Your seawall is only as strong as its weakest part. Start preparing your seawall for hurricane season by assessing its current condition. When inspecting your seawall for damage, look for:

Visible rust stains and where the stains are coming from.
Corrosion from being exposed to natural elements, such as wind and water, especially saltwater.
Signs of damage caused by the normal wear and tear of everyday use.
Space between slabs that appears to be widening or becoming misaligned.
Cracked, bowing, or leaning slabs.
Cracks in the seawall cap or any small chunks broken off of it.
Soil settling or any holes along the seawall.

Assess Changing Environmental Conditions Impacting Seawall Stability

Not all elements impacting the stability of a seawall are visible to the naked eye. Changes to the environment near a seawall can lead to a pressure imbalance, which could cause your seawall to fail. Some of the most common causes of seawall pressure imbalances include:

Changes to water flow patterns
Changes to your living space
Landscaping modifications

For more information on these common causes of seawall pressure imbalances, visit Part IV of our Seawall Failure Series.

Expand or Extend Your Seawall

With hurricanes staying stronger for longer, they have the potential to bring greater danger and destruction. Stronger for longer hurricanes can deliver more powerful storm surges where an unusual rise in water during a storm is pushed toward the shoreline by powerful, forceful winds. It can cause water to rise well above normal levels and bring more water further inland.

Storm surges can be one of the greatest threats to human life – even more so than the powerful hurricane winds. Surges can push a huge volume of water inland for many miles. The speed and force at which a storm surge arrives leaves little warning time for people to get to higher ground. Surges can cause lots of damage, demolish buildings, flood homes, wash away roads, etc. Within minutes, people can become stranded on rooftops or in vehicles, or worse – be injured or killed.

Stronger, longer, and taller seawalls provide better protection against storm surges. Expanding and/or extending your seawall helps better protect your loved ones and your property.

Seawall Inspection and Repair Services in Tampa Bay

If you are unsure of what to look for when assessing your seawall, or would just like some assistance, call the seawall experts at Gibson Marine Construction. We offer seawall inspection and repair services to help you get your seawall ready for hurricane season. Contact us to learn more.

The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season

May 20, 2021 by gibson Leave a Comment

2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season Predictions

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially kicks off on June 1, 2021 and will run through the end of November. Learn what the experts are predicting for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.

The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project, a respected authority on hurricanes is predicting an above-average 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Here are the numbers:

The average number of hurricanes each season (averaged out over 30 years):

• 12 named storms
• 6 hurricanes
• 2 major hurricanes

The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project is predicting the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season to have:

• 17 named storms
• 8 hurricanes
• 4 major hurricanes

Comparing the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season Predictions to the Previous Year (2020)

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season blew past predictions, with a record breaking hurricane season and the highest number of named storms (23) ever recorded in a season throughout the end of summer. That was 6 more named storms than the previous record of 17 in 2005. In 2020, we also saw 14 hurricanes (second highest on record) and 7 major hurricanes (tied highest on record). Plus, it was also only the second time in recorded history, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) ran out of names, then had to switch to Greek letters to continue naming storms.

And although experts are predicting another above average hurricane season for 2021, they do not believe it will be another record breaking hurricane season, like 2020.

Is Your Waterfront Property Ready for Hurricane Season?

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was also the fifth costliest Atlantic hurricane season on record, with total damage estimates of $51.146 billion USD.

So, if you haven’t had your waterfront property seawall inspected and/or repaired after the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, now is the time to do it. The experts at Gibson Marine Construction have 30+ years of experience inspecting and repairing seawalls. They can ensure that your seawall is in the best condition to protect your home and family, giving you peace of mind going into the hurricane season.

Contact Gibson Marine Construction for a free seawall inspection or repair quote today.

Facing Stronger for Longer Hurricanes

December 7, 2020 by gibson Leave a Comment

In a recent study conducted by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University, researchers have concluded that hurricanes are staying “stronger for longer after hitting land.” Coastal property owners should take notice, as this can equate to more danger and property damage. Damage from a hurricane can happen a few different ways.

Hurricane Damage from Stronger Storm Surges

The rising water pushed toward the shore by forceful hurricane winds is called a storm surge. It can be a greater threat to human life – even more so than the powerful winds. And the crashing waves can cause severe damage to property, damaging boats, docks, and even buildings. With hurricanes staying stronger for longer, storm surges have the potential to become more violent, may cause water levels to rise and cause more damage.

Land Erosion and Land Loss Caused by Hurricanes

Hurricanes also cause damage via delivering torrential rains to an area. These severe rainstorms can cause rivers to flood, eroding the soil from the riverbanks. And torrential rains can create mudslides, leading to land loss and property damage. For example, scientists estimate that the amount of land lost due to hurricanes Katrina and Rita was approximately 73 square miles.

Seawalls and Retaining Walls Can Help Protect from Stronger for Longer Hurricanes

As of yet there is no way to stop a hurricane, but property owners can take steps to protect their land by investing in a seawall or retaining wall. They can serve as the first line of defense to protect property and help curb some of the damage caused by hurricanes. As hurricanes get stronger for longer, even property owners who have never considered a seawall or retaining may want to revisit the topic.

If you’re thinking about investing in a seawall or retaining wall, talk to our marine construction experts at Gibson Marine Construction. We’d be happy to discuss the benefits and how to best protect your property from hurricane damage caused by stronger for longer hurricanes. Contact Gibson Marine Construction today to learn more.