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Comparative Hydrodynamics during Events along a Barrier Island: Explanation for Overwash

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Abstract

A fairly undeveloped barrier island along the mid-Atlantic coast, Onslow Beach, was exposed to two differing, yet sequential meteorological events in the fall of 2008. The response of the barrier island differed significantly enough to warrant investigation into the causes of aberrant overwash locations. Tropical Storm Hanna generated high significant wave heights for a short period of time and caused overwash events along the southern portion of Onslow Beach. The Nor’easter and subsequent wind shift after TS Hanna generated significant wave heights that were lower than during TS Hanna, yet more locations of overwash were recorded along the beach. Data from NOAA wave buoys and a nearshore deployed AWAC were analyzed to understand the underlying physics behind the recorded differences in barrier island response. These data were also used to validate a coupled hydrodynamic (ADCIRC) and waves (SWAN) model to investigate the alongshore variability. Low frequency variability, on the order of days, and tidal timing of shoreward high significant wave heights contributed to the recorded variability.

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Acknowledgments

This research was conducted under the Defense Coastal/Estuarine Research Program (DCERP), funded by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP). Views, opinions, and/or findings contained in this report are those of the author(s) and should not be construed as an official U.S. Department of Defense position or decision unless so designated by other official documentation. The authors would like to thank an anonymous reviewer and Dr. Carl T. Friedrichs for providing insightful suggestions to enhance the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UNC-Chapel Hill-Institute of Marine Sciences, 3431 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC, 28557, USA

    Richard A. Luettich

  2. Seahorse Coastal Consulting, 3103 Mandy Lane, Suite 3, Morehead City, NC, 28557, USA

    Janelle V. Reynolds-Fleming & Jason G. Fleming

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  1. Janelle V. Reynolds-Fleming
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  2. Richard A. Luettich
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Correspondence to Janelle V. Reynolds-Fleming.

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Reynolds-Fleming, J.V., Luettich, R.A. & Fleming, J.G. Comparative Hydrodynamics during Events along a Barrier Island: Explanation for Overwash. Estuaries and Coasts 36, 334–346 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-012-9578-8

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