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WASHINGTON – “We know that what protects the habitat of birds and wildlife also protects people, jobs and property. Every devastating storm shows us that water always finds a way over or around concrete barriers, and Florence is no different,” said Karen Hyun, vice president for coastal conservation at the �ԹϺ���. “It’s time to invest in fortifying our first line of defense – natural infrastructure. Natural features such as marshes, barrier islands and oyster reefs minimize flood and storm damage, buffer communities, increase public safety and save taxpayer dollars.”

One month ago, Florence battered North and South Carolina causing an estimated $38-50 billion in damages, displacing millions and adding urgency to the debate over how to effectively protect coastal habitats and communities from the short and long-term impacts of increasingly-destructive hurricanes.

The �ԹϺ���’s 30-days out damage assessment report, “,” was released today.  

�ԹϺ��� staff assessed first-hand Florence’s impact on key sites lining the Carolinas, including marsh and barrier island areas like Currituck Sound and Lea-Hutaff Island on the North Carolina coast. �ԹϺ���’s Donal C. O’Brien, Jr. Sanctuary at Pine Island, on the northern edge of Florence’s path, endured days of flooding but sustained only minor damages; the rich, productive marshes of the Currituck Sound acted as a natural sponge, buffering the uplands, and breaking wave energy to reduce storm surge and flooding.

Lea-Hutaff Island – a few miles north of Wilmington – experienced the full force of Hurricane Florence: winds of 100 mph or more, raging surf, storm surge of more than 8 feet, and more than 20 inches of rain. While 90% of this undeveloped, unmodified barrier island overwashed with storm surge, it absorbed the energy from the wind and water to buffer the mainland from the most harmful effects of the storm. This overwash and erosion actually revitalize the barrier island to provide habitat for birds like terns and skimmers.

“Congress just passed with $1.68 million for Hurricane Florence relief and pre-disaster mitigation as well as a bill that elevates natural infrastructure for Army Corps water projects,” said Andrew Hutson, executive director of �ԹϺ��� North Carolina. “Both are more welcome evidence that state and federal policymakers understand the value – the economic as well as environmental – of natural infrastructure to reduce the force of sea level rise and record-breaking storms.”  

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About the �ԹϺ���

The �ԹϺ��� protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. �ԹϺ���’s state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, �ԹϺ���’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. �ԹϺ��� is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at  and @audubonsociety.

Media Contact: Chandler Lennon, clennon@audubon.org, (804) 832-0832