DISCUSSION 

 75. THE PROBLEM 



The Narragansett Bay area has experienced very heavy tidal 

 flood losses in recent hurricanes owing to its e3q>osure to the 

 Atlantic Ocean on the south. Hurricane tidal surges are funnelled 

 into the bay and flood densely populated and developed areas, 

 especially in the vicinity of I rovidence, Newport and Fall River. 

 Recurring flood losses are estimated at approximately $120,000,000 

 for the September 1938 hurricane; ,!?7,000,000 for the September 

 19iili hurricane, which struck at low tide; and 192,000,000 for the 

 August 195ii hurricane. Loss of life has been great, with over 

 250 lives lost in Narragansett Bay and along the fihode Island 

 coast during the 1938 and 195ii hurricanes. The need for protection 

 has become urgent, particularly in Providence, the capital city 

 and chief commercial center of Rhode Island i^ere a recurrence of 

 the 1938 flood would cause over #UO,000,000 damages. Since a 

 repetition of the hurricane floods of the last 20 years would 

 cause damages totalling approximately 1220,000,000, at 1956 price 

 levels, it is obvious that protective measures are needed to 

 safeguard the areas subject to tidal flooding against future 

 attacks. 



A design flood, derived by transposing the 19l4li hurricane, 

 a storm of unusual energy off Cape Hatteras, to a track over 

 water and timed to strike at high tide in Narragansett Bay, is 

 capable of causing about |20ii,000,000 of damage. 



76. SOLUTIONS CONSIDERED 



Hurricane warnings and evacuation measures, although effective 

 in reducing the loss of life and damage to items which may be moved, 

 have relatively little value in preventing property damage. The 

 cost of permanent relocation of buildings and rezoning of areas 

 subject to tidal flooding would be prohibitive because the valuation 

 of the property involved is many times the cost of protection or 

 the amount of damages. Moreover, any extensive relocation would 

 disrupt the entire economy of the area. Hence, a more positive 

 means of protection vrtiich will eliminate the threat of future 

 flooding to existing properties is required. 



Studies indicate that tidal flood barriers are the most 

 practicable means of assuring general protection. Though costly, 

 such barriers can provide a high degree of protection for large 

 extents of the 250-mile bay shoreline. Protective structures 

 for individual Icceilities pro\-e economically unjustified except 

 in c once lit rated high valuation cireas. 



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