Backyard Invaders
Aggressive, annoying, abundant and invasive, these are all adjectives to describe a growing problem in Florida – iguanas.
Iguanas are a burden on Florida’s ecology and their population is constantly growing. Whether devouring crops or displacing native species, iguanas are a nuisance, burrowing under the foundations of homes, into seawalls and along canal banks and ponds. These scaly creatures are an ecological and economic challenge for the entire region.
Iguanas are native to Central and South America and were introduced to Florida as pets. However, due to escapes and intentional releases, their population has exploded, particularly in South Florida. The warm climate and abundant vegetation provide ideal conditions for their survival and reproduction. With minimal natural predators in the region, iguanas thrive in this area.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, iguanas were first spotted in South Florida in the 60s. As of now, they can be found as far north as Alachua, the Highlands and Hillsborough Counties. They are attracted to vegetation with soft foliage or flowers, most fruits (except citrus) and almost all types of vegetables.
Beyond the ecological and economic ramifications, the iguana invasion raises public health concerns. Iguanas are potential carriers of salmonella, posing risks to human health through direct contact or contamination of food and water sources. As their population continues to grow, the likelihood of human and iguana interactions increases, necessitating initiative measures to minimize health risks.
Recognizing the severity of the iguana invasion, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other environmental agencies in South Florida have implemented various strategies to mitigate the iguana’s impact. These include:
- Removal Programs: Trained professionals conduct trapping and removal programs to control iguana populations in heavily affected areas. When captured, iguanas are euthanized or relocated to designated areas to prevent further spread.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Educational initiatives aim to raise awareness about the ecological and economic consequences of iguana invasion. Encouraging responsible pet ownership and discouraging the release of exotic pets into the wild are essential components of these campaigns.
- Research and Monitoring: Scientists and researchers from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) have conducted studies to better understand iguana behavior, population dynamics and habitat preferences. This knowledge informs targeted management strategies to effectively control iguana populations and minimize damage.
For more information about these efforts visit Iguanas in the Landscape and Green Iguana | FWC (myfwc.com).
Backyard Invaders
/in News, ResidentialBackyard Invaders
Aggressive, annoying, abundant and invasive, these are all adjectives to describe a growing problem in Florida – iguanas.
Iguanas are a burden on Florida’s ecology and their population is constantly growing. Whether devouring crops or displacing native species, iguanas are a nuisance, burrowing under the foundations of homes, into seawalls and along canal banks and ponds. These scaly creatures are an ecological and economic challenge for the entire region.
Iguanas are native to Central and South America and were introduced to Florida as pets. However, due to escapes and intentional releases, their population has exploded, particularly in South Florida. The warm climate and abundant vegetation provide ideal conditions for their survival and reproduction. With minimal natural predators in the region, iguanas thrive in this area.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, iguanas were first spotted in South Florida in the 60s. As of now, they can be found as far north as Alachua, the Highlands and Hillsborough Counties. They are attracted to vegetation with soft foliage or flowers, most fruits (except citrus) and almost all types of vegetables.
Beyond the ecological and economic ramifications, the iguana invasion raises public health concerns. Iguanas are potential carriers of salmonella, posing risks to human health through direct contact or contamination of food and water sources. As their population continues to grow, the likelihood of human and iguana interactions increases, necessitating initiative measures to minimize health risks.
Recognizing the severity of the iguana invasion, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other environmental agencies in South Florida have implemented various strategies to mitigate the iguana’s impact. These include:
For more information about these efforts visit Iguanas in the Landscape and Green Iguana | FWC (myfwc.com).
Three Groups Working Together
/in Flood Control, Hurricanes, News, ResidentialWithin Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD), flood control is a shared responsibility and achieved through an interconnected, 3-tiered drainage system governed by 3 unique groups of people. Through communication and coordination, these 3 groups can provide effective flood control. The groups are identified as:
When it rains, water will flow into stormwater ponds and, if needed for flood control, out through the pond’s discharge control structure into the LWDD canal system. Excess water in LWDD canals will then flow into the primary SFWMD system for potential flood control discharge. Most of the time this drainage occurs unnoticed by the average individual.
Water managers in charge of primary and secondary systems are continually monitoring the weather and canal levels to proactively respond to changes in canal elevations. In anticipation of a heavy rainfall event, water managers will make operational adjustments to maintain appropriate water elevations for flood control. Additionally, throughout the year routine canal maintenance is conducted to provide unobstructed flow in the canal channel and access along the canal rights-of-way. The inspection of control structures, pumps and other infrastructure is also conducted, and repairs or replacements are made.
Property owners and residential associations have a similar role regarding their neighborhood drainage system. They must maintain their drainage infrastructure to ensure that inlets, storm drains, pipes, and discharge control structures are free of potential blockages and working as designed, thus maintaining the flow of stormwater away from their property. An annual inspection of the drainage infrastructure should be made, and repairs should be completed before the start of Hurricane Season on June 1.
Some neighborhood drainage systems have operable discharge controls structures and can request permission from LWDD to open their structure prior to a severe storm. This will provide additional onsite storage capacity within the stormwater pond. Guideline for the operation of neighborhood operable discharge control structures can be found at www.lwdd.net/storm-response.
Coordinating efforts and working together we can provide effective flood control.
LWDD’s Automated Flood Control
/in Flood Control, Hurricanes, NewsWater control structures act like dams, allowing stormwater to be released or held back depending on weather conditions. The technology used to operate the Lake Worth Drainage District’s (LWDD) water control structures is called Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). As the water rises in the canal and reaches a pre-determined elevation, SCADA will slowly open control structures releasing water for flood control. Similarly, as water elevations return to normal levels the control structure gates will close, holding back water for conservation and water supply demands.
This response to changes in the canal system happens automatically and is monitored remotely by staff using mobile devices. However, in anticipation of severe weather, staff can override the automated SCADA system and make manual adjustments as needed. The remote monitoring and operating functions of SCADA eliminate the need for LWDD staff to venture out during dangerous weather conditions to operate control structures, as well as significantly reduce response time.
Automation for more enhanced flood control is just one of the many ways LWDD provides for your safety.
Prepare for Flooding: Helpful Links
/in NewsStay prepared for flooding throughout the hurricane season. No drainage system, no matter how well designed, is 100% flood proof. Whether you live in a flood-prone area or not, potential flooding from heavy rains may still affect you. Preparing for potential flooding requires action and the following list of links can help you get started.
First, know your risk for flooding. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home and locate your flood zone. Sign up for your community’s warning system with the Emergency Alert System (EAS) at https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-alert-system and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) https://www.noaa.gov. Also, consider purchasing a weather radio to receive local emergency alerts and updates.
Additionally, residents can prepare for the potential impact of a flood by purchasing or renewing a flood insurance policy. Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. It typically takes a new flood insurance policy up to 30 days for the policy to go into effect so the time to buy is well before a disaster. Visit https://www.floodsmart.gov for help with obtaining flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Most importantly, make a plan for your household so that you and your family know what to do, where to go and what you will need to protect yourselves from flooding. Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response. Gather supplies, including non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies and water for several days, in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off in your area. Store important documents and photos in watertight plastic containers.
You can find more information and helpful tips at https://www.ready.gov/plan.
New Hurricane Tool
/in Hurricanes, NewsCone of concern. Cone of dread. Cone of death. The National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) familiar forecast cone map goes by a lot of unofficial nicknames, all of which reflect this undeniable fact: you feel worried if you’re in it and better if you’re not.
That misreading of the forecast cone has made it the subject of some criticism over the years. Emergency managers believe it fails to reflect the risks posed to coastal communities that may be out of the cone one day but in it the next. Also, those in-land may be close enough to the eye of a storm to still experience serious wind damage.
This year, the NHC is rolling out an experimental version intended to address those issues by adding new layers of threats and a lot more colors. The NHC believes the new map better bridges the gap between informing the public and confusing it.
The forecast cone, introduced 22 years ago, has been misinterpreted by the public practically since day one. It’s meant to show the NHC best guess for where the eye of the storm will travel, with a cone around it that follows a formula based on the average errors the hurricane center makes when tracking a storm.
It’s a handy tool for showing where a storm may go. But even a small track shift can translate to a big change for a hurricane that parallels Florida’s long coastline. For example, the relatively minor shifts in the NHC predictions for Hurricane Ian’s path in 2022 led to entire counties in Florida exiting the forecast cone’s shaded area and, in some cases, delaying or avoiding calls for evacuation in response.
Starting August 15, the NHC will publish an experimental second version of the cone, where the inland spots under watches and warnings will also be colored in red and blue. It also will show the wind field of the storm, depicted in a gold tone, showing how far out the damaging winds stretch. This addition should make residents outside the cone more aware of the potential impacts from high winds. For more details on the new forecast cone visit NHC at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/NHC_Cone_Graphic_Change_Announcement.pdf.
Excerpt from: Carter Weinhofer (May 15, 2024), New Hurricane Graphics Better Explain The Dangers of Approaching Storms, Retrieved June 6, 2024 from https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2024/may/15/hurricane-graphics-dangers-storms