The hurricanes of 2004
On November 30, the 2004 hurricane season ended and Floridians breathed a collective sigh of relief. While we’re still assessing the damage, it will almost certainly be remembered as the most costly and destructive hurricane season in the state’s history. The devastation wreaked by four tropical storms in a six-week period is expected to exceed even that of Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
It’s difficult to quantify all the destruction to homes and property, but it’s even more difficult to assess the damage to the environment.
Although mangrove forests on Florida’s east coast suffered extensive losses from both Jeanne and Frances, some of the worst devastation occurred on August 13 when Hurricane Charley slammed into Charlotte Harbor.
The estuary was badly battered, with many of the oldest and tallest mangroves snapped off and denuded, setting the stage for a long-term decline in the black mangrove population.
Mangroves are hardy trees and should recolonize over time, but the impact of Hurricane Charley may be felt for many years to come.