Response to coastal storm hazard: Short-term recovery versus long-term planning

Abstract

This paper describes a series of 1988 winter coastal storms that severely damaged the harbor front of Redondo Beach, California. The damages, responses and costs are detailed, along with a description of the city's emergency management system. This is followed with a discussion and evaluation of its recovery plans which focuses on its breakwater and pier. It is suggested that a fundamental shift in coastal land-use policy would reduce the intensity of use and hence susceptibility to storm hazard.