ANNOUNCEMENT: Last call for annual podcast survey feedback!

Please share your thoughts and how the survey has inspired change with us, here: ⁠⁠https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEf5YoxkFv87GIu⁠⁠

Note: The survey will close on December 31, 2025.

If you cannot access the survey for some reason - please email Shannon at scarnevale@ufl.edu and she can send you a direct link.

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In this episode, we explain how hurricanes impact ecosystems and the wildlife that live there. We’ll discuss behaviors of wildlife before, during and after a storm, how these events impact wildlife, and what to keep in mind when it comes to encountering wildlife after a storm.

Learn More:

• Wildlife and Storms: Hurricanes and Wildlife - https://myfwc.com/news/wildlife-and-storms/

• Are Fish Impacted by Hurricanes? https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/are-fish-impacted-hurricanes

• Hurricane Impacts on Florida’s Agriculture and Natural Resources - https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/105526

How You Can Help:

• Give wildlife space to recover after storms — avoid unnecessary “rescues.”

• Report fish kills by calling the Fish Kill Hotline: 800-636-0511 or  report a fish kill online. 

• Support dune restoration, wetland cleanup events, and native plantings.

• Report injured wildlife to licensed rehabbers or FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline. FWC’ s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC

Sources:

• The Impact of Hurricane Andrew on the Ecosystems of South Florida - https://www.jstor.org/stable/2386357

• The effects of hurricanes on birds, with special reference to Caribbean islands - https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/effects-of-hurricanes-on-birds-with-special-reference-to-caribbean-islands/BB2E910A038B98090BB331310C163DC7

• Short-Term Demographic Responses of a Coastal Waterbird Community After Two Major Hurricanes - https://bioone.org/journals/waterbirds/volume-36/issue-1/063.036.0113/Short-Term-Demographic-Responses-of-a-Coastal-Waterbird-Community-After/10.1675/063.036.0113.short

• Geographical variation in hurricane impacts among sea turtle populations - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jbi.12197

ANNOUNCEMENT: Our annual podcast survey is live!

Please share your thoughts and how the survey has inspired change with us, here:⁠ https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEf5YoxkFv87GIu⁠

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In this episode, we explain how hurricanes cause inland flooding through extreme rainfall and connected watershed systems. We’ll discuss why Florida’s flat terrain and development patterns make inland flooding so persistent, how these events impact water quality and wildlife, and what practical steps Floridians can take to protect their homes and communities.

Learn More:

• See the most up-to-date FEMA Flood Map for your community: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home (FEMA)
• Get a quote or learn more about the National Flood Insurance Program: https://www.floodsmart.gov
• Florida Well Owners Network: https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/well/ (UF/IFAS)
• Benefits of Floodplains: https://www.fema.gov/floodplain-management/wildlife-conservation/benefits-natural (FEMA)

Sources:

• https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home
• https://www.archbold-station.org/projects/floodplains/

• • https://msc.fema.gov/msccontent/Flood_Hazard_Mapping_Updates_Overview_Fact_Sheet.pdf
  • https://www.floodsmart.gov

ANNOUNCEMENT: Our annual podcast survey is live!

Please share your thoughts and how the survey has inspired change with us, here: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEf5YoxkFv87GIu

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On today’s episode, we will do a deep dive into the topic ofstorm surge. What is storm surge? What are the impacts of storm surge to us and our natural systems? We will also help you understand the risk of stormsurge where you live.

Episode script reviewed by Lauren Wolf, Holly Abeels, andArmando Ubeda.

Episode recording reviewed by Stephen Mullens.

Learn more:

• National Weather Service – Storm Surge Overview &Hurricane Hazards https://www.weather.gov/phi/stormsurge& https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-hazards
• National Ocean Service – What is storm surge? https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/stormsurge-stormtide.html
• National Hurricane Center and Central PacificHurricane Center – Storm Surge Overview - https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/

How you can help:

• Learn your evacuation zone – https://www.floridadisaster.org/knowyourzone/Remember, evacuation zones are based on storm surge risk for low-lying, floodprone areas, mobile homes or unsafe structures.
• Consider planting more salt-tolerant plants inyour landscape - https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/plant-guide/
• Support nature-based solutions such as dunerestoration, mangrove plantings, and living shorelines.

Sources for this Episode:

• https://coast.noaa.gov/states/fast-facts/economics-and-demographics.html

• https://www.usgs.gov/centers/spcmsc/science/florida-coastal-mapping-program
• https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2023/06/15/sand-dunes/
• https://www.jstor.org/stable/26296452?mag=the-shifting-sands-of-hurricane-resilience&seq=1
• https://www.usgs.gov/centers/spcmsc/science/storm-induced-coastal-change
• https://daily.jstor.org/the-shifting-sands-of-hurricane-resilience/