FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONEISA: Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) High Tide Event, December 7-12, 2008 Report Submitted By Marilyn Shigetani PDA Team Leader (1/26/2009)
1 1. Background:
I. Precipitators
According to the National Weather Service, in early December 2008 a vigorous low pressure system formed north of Wake Island. Surface reports indicated a large area of 50 to 60kt surface winds formed along the low pressure’s northern periphery while it moved slowly towards the southeast to near 20N 174E by Sunday December 7, 2008. Surface winds weakened slightly, but remained at gale force, 35-40kt, by Tuesday, December 9, 2008. At the same time the moon’s orbit with the earth was approaching its closest point (perigee) causing unusually high tides. Reports from Altimetry showed significant wave heights in excess of 30ft near the low pressure system generating northerly swells in the range of 12-15ft from Majuro westward to Pohnpei and Chuuk. The combination of these factors resulted in high wave and tide events throughout the FSM.
II. Evolution of PDA Request
Beginning on December 7, 2008 and concluding on December 12, 2008, a tidal event swept over the Federated States of Micronesia, causing damage to crops and coastal areas throughout the country. In response to this incident the Governor of Pohnpei State, John Ehsa, declared the islands of Kapingamarangi, Mwokil, Ngetik, Nukuror, Oroluk, Pakin and Pingelap to be in State of Emergency on December 19, 2008. On December 24, 2008, Governor Robert Weilbacher of the State of Kosrae declared the existence of a state of emergency because of tidal surges that caused property flooding, damage and destruction of households, businesses, infrastructure and crops. The emergency declaration affected the municipalities of Tafunsak and Lelu and other communities of Kosrae state. Also on the 24th the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) requested a joint preliminary damage assessment (PDA) for the purpose of verifying damage caused by high tidal surge, coastal erosion and salt water intrusion in the States of Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk and Yap. On December 26, 2008, the Governors of Chuuk and Yap declared states of emergency due to the same event.
On December 29, 2008 President Emanuel Mori of the FSM declared a State of Emergency for the four states. He additionally formed a National Emergency Task Force and called a Special Session of Congress to address appropriations for an emergency plan to address the effects of the high tide and wave event.
The Government of FSM began relief efforts on January 1, 2009. One National Patrol Boats were dispatched to the Mortlock and Northwest Islands of Chuuk State and the outer islands of Yap State with food and water. FSM Damage Assessment teams were also aboard and conducted preliminary damage assessments on the islands. Additionally, the FSS Caroline Voyager departed on January 5th to the Southern Islands of Pohnpei State with a separate
2 assessment team and food and water for these islands, while one FSM Patrol Boat department Pohnpei to begin an assessment of the northern islands of Chuuk State. To coordinate this effort the National Emergency Task Force set up its Emergency Operations Center at the FSM National Police Maritime Wing office in Dekehtik, Pohnpei.
III. PDA Concept of Operations
After receiving FSM President Mori’s request for USG assistance in the preliminary disaster assessment USAID /OFDA responded by quickly organizing a team of experts to carry out the assessments. During the December 30, 2008 teleconference between USAID/OFDA and FEMA, it was determined that the following assessments would be undertaken:
State Infrastructure Agricultural Water Individual Assist. Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment
Pohnpei X X Chuuk X X Yap X X
On January 12, 2009 the FSM government further requested a PDA for the State of Kosrae to assess loss to infrastructure, homes and businesses.
To accomplish the assessment, USAID/OFDA and FEMA coordinated with other federal agencies to form a multi-agency USG PDA team. Subject matter experts were tasked to verify the damages reported by the FSM. The team was comprised of the following inter-agency personnel:
Coordination Team Leader: Bart Deemer USAID/OFDA Team Team Marilyn Shigetani FEMA Leader/Indiv. Assist. Program Lead: Deputy Team Thomas Breslin FEMA Leader: Chuuk Team Agricultural John Quidachay USDA/USFS Specialist: Hydrologist: Jeff Perrault USGS Pohnpei Team Agricultural Julie March USAID/OFDA Specialist: Agricultural Craig Smith USDA/NRCS Specialist: Hydrologist: Vince Radke CDC Yap Team Agricultural Thomas USDA/FSA
3 Specialist: Camacho Hydrologist: Sarah Rosa USGS Kosrae Team John Quidachay and Marilyn Shigetani
On December 30th, 2008, a conference call was held between the Team Leader and the members of the PDA team to brief the team on the FSM’s request, the PDA concept of operations, emergency procedures, country clearances requirements, travel logistics and cultural aspects of the communities the PDA team would be visiting. On January 2nd and 3rd the USG team arrived in Pohnpei and met with the FSM National Emergency Task Force headed by Andrew Yatilman, Director of FSM Office of the Environment and Emergency Management on the 4th.
On January 5th the Team met with US Ambassador Miriam Hughes and Deputy Chief of Mission William Douglass. The Pohnpei and Yap Assessment Team departed on the evening of January 5th after a final briefing from the FSM National Government. On January 6th the Chuck Assessment Team departed by air for Weno. Over the course of 11 days the teams conducted assessments as outlined below:
Date Chuuk Team Yap Team Pohnpei Team 1/4/09 Team Arrival and Orientation 1/5/09 1/6/09 Weno Travel Sapwuahfik 1/7/09 Travel Travel Nukuoro 1/8/09 Halls Satawal / Lamotrek Kapingamarangi 1/9/09 Halls / Namonwuitos Elato Travel 1/10/09 Namonwuitos Faraulap / Ifalik Travel 1/11/09 Namonwuitos / Woleai / Eauripik Oroluk Western Islands 1/12/09 Western Islands Fais Pohnpei 1/13/09 Travel Ulithi Pohnpei 1/14/09 Lagoon Islands Ngulu Pingelap, Mwoakilloa 1/16/09 Kosrae PDA 1/17/09
The goal of this assessment was to determine the severity of the damage to subsistence crops and ground and drinking water systems. The primary agricultural crops to be assessed were taro and breadfruit, which are the staple food consumed by the islanders. Other important food sources include banana, sweet potato and tapioca. The ships which carried the assessment teams also carried relief supplies for the population, which included rice, sugar, noodles, blankets and sheets from the Micronesian Red Cross and a
4 medical doctor who visited local clinics at each island to provide health services above and beyond those normally provided on island.
Due to the impact of the tidal surges the PDA team validated damage and long term effects reported by the FSM using the following assessment tools:
National Weather Service input on the causality of the event Ground assessments made by the State and National Government Ground assessments conducted by U.S. Government (USG) subject matter experts. This assessment was carried out over the course of two weeks on FSM Government Patrol Boats and the MS Caroline Voyager, as well as using fixed-wing aircraft provided by Caroline Inter-Island Air. The teams conducted assessments in each island group of affected islands to determine the impact throughout the atoll or chain of islands. Ground assessments included determining the impact to taro beds, breadfruit, coconuts and native fruits, and water quality and quantity on the impacted islands.
2. Assessment Methodology:
I. Agricultural Assessment Criteria
• Cause of crop failure from triggering event:
o Tidal flooding of taro farms o Extreme high tide causing salt intrusion into subsurface water lens of taro farms o Salt spray from wind and wave action o Persistent high levels of standing salt water in taro farms over a long period (4 weeks)
• Assessment Sampling:
o Random sampling of taro plants by extraction o Inspecting taro corms for rot o Salinity measurements of standing water in taro farms o Visual inspection of breadfruit, banana, and papaya
• Assessment Data:
o Agricultural assessment data was categorized by the projected impact it would have to staple crops. Thresholds for Damage assessments are as are follows:
5 Damage Percentage Crop Affected Destroyed 100-90% Severe 90-70% Moderate 70-20% Negligible 20-0% NA Not Assessed
II. Water Assessment Criteria
Reconnaissance and assessment visits were made January 6-16, 2009. Numerous interviews while on the affected islands resolved that the triggering event was an unusually high tide. Subsequent research found that the period of the event coincided with the highest Perigean Spring Tide of 2008, and that the moon has not made this close a pass (perigee) during a spring tide since January of 2005. Opportunely, the highest Perigean Spring Tide of 2009 occurred during the assessment period, which allowed the assessment team to witness the magnitude of the effect, and confirm that it resulted in high tidal inflows in excess of normal high water indicators. During this January event there were no high winds, and no reported storms in the area; despite this the team witnessed numerous homes that were flooded, and sea walls that were being overtopped.
Inspection to water resources was focused on potable water, represented by rainfall catchment systems, and ground water, represented by dug wells and opportunistic samplings of taro patches. Subsequent sampling indicated that potable-water resources were dominantly adequate at the time of the visits, and will likely improve as the area enters its traditional wet season in the coming months.
STATE ASSESSMENTS
YAP STATE:
I. Background
FEMA/USAID PDA team along with Yap State and FSM National Government representatives departed Pohnpei State on January 5. The joint PDA team conducted assessments in Yap Outer Islands to review and verify the impacts to agriculture and water resources of high wave actions occurring on December 7- 12, 2008. The joint teams arrived at the island of Satawal on January 8 and traveled throughout the outer islands ending with Ngulu on January 14th, returning to Yap State on January 15th.
Overall findings were consistent throughout the outer islands. Most crop damage on the islands was to taro and breadfruit from salt water inundation and upwelling
6 from below the soil as a result of wave surges on December 7-12th. Coconut loss was primarily from root exposure by sea waves.
II. Assessment Team
U.S. Government FSM National State Government Government Thomas Camacho – USDA, John Wichep Phillip Raffilpiy FSA Sarah Rosa – USGS Dr. Jay Charlie Gilaayan Mike Hasurmai John Sohlith
III. Agricultural Assessment
Crops Damaged Island Population Taro Breadfruit Banana YAP STATE: Outer Islands 3,806 Ulilthi 733 Moderate NA NA Fais 215 Negligible Negligible Negligible Ngulu 22 Negligible Negligible Negligible Woleai 975 Severe NA NA Eauripik 113 Negligible Negligible Negligible Ifalik 561 Destroyed NA NA Faraulap 221 Severe NA NA Elato 96 Destroyed Moderate Moderate Lamotrek 339 Destroyed NA NA Satawal 531 Destroyed Moderate Moderate
IV. Assessment Notes
Satawal: Ground assessment estimate 90% of taro destroyed. Banana and Breadfruit crops not as severely affected, however, with prolonged exposure to salt water, a decrease in yield will be seen. As breadfruit season (April – July) is near, the breadfruit trees should show signs of flowering. No apparent signs of flowering exist as of the day of assessment. It is apparent that the damage to the taro patches is due to saltwater breaching the water lens and rising to the surface from below.
Lamotrek: Ground assessment estimate 90% of taro destroyed. Direct salt water flooding on Northern and Southern parts of the island is noticeable. Taro patches show signs of salt water damage as wilting and dead leaves were found. Uprooted taro plants show signs of advanced rotting and emitting
7 a foul smell. Other taro patches show signs of wilting due to saltwater breaching the water lens and rising to the surface from below.
Elato: Ground assessments estimate 90% of taro destroyed. Direct salt water flooding was visible. Taro patches show signs of salt water damage as yellowing of leaves were found. Uprooted taro plants show signs of rotting. Taro patches in raised concrete taro beds were not affected at all. Concrete beds are used as a nursery stock for the islands taro patches. Some breadfruit trees were found to have some production as were banana and papaya trees although there are not enough banana and papaya crops to support the population of the island.
Faraulep: Ground assessment estimate 65% of taro destroyed. Prolonged exposure to salt water will result in a total loss over time. Some noticeable direct inundation of salt water was found due to the tidal surge, however, it is apparent the majority of the damage to the taro patches were due to salt water intrusion from below.
Ifalik: Ground assessment estimate 90% of taro destroyed. Main taro patch show signs of salt water damage due to intrusion from below. More noticeably taro patches have a foul smell and many leaves have turned brown. There are many taro patches that remain barren due to unsuccessful growth of new plantings. Islanders have begun to harvest immature taro corms as opposed to allowing them to rot in the ground.
Woleai Islands: Outer islands – Ground assessment estimate 45%, 90%, and 70% to Falalop, Wottegai, and Falalus respectively. Taro plants show signs of salt water damage due to salt water intrusion from below. Raised Concrete beds are not affected at all. Some breadfruit, banana, and papaya trees were found to have some production. Eastern side of Falalus was mainly affected by flooding.
Eauripik: Ground assessment showed minimal damage to crops from salt water inundation and salt water intrusion from below. The islanders use the island of Wew as the main food production area. Taro plants are grown in a 100’x50’x4’ raised concrete bed – no damage, an excellent technique.
Fais: No damage.
Ulithi: Outer Islands – Minimal damage to Falalop. Mogmog assessment estimated at 65%, however, with prolonged exposure to salt water, this number will increase. On the island of Fadarai all taro plants are grown in raised concrete beds – this island was not affected at all.
Ngulu: No damage.
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CHUUK STATE:
I. Background
On January 7, 2009, a two person team representing the United States Government (USG), the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the State of Chuuk departed by FSM patrol boat to conduct agricultural damage assessments of the outer atolls known as the Northern Islands which include the Halls, Nomenweito, and the Western islands. In addition, three islands (Tol, Udot, Siis) within the Chuuk lagoon were sampled. Damage assessment of the southern islands, known as the Mortlocks occurred between January 1st and January 6th, 2009 by FSM and State representatives. The USG specialists did not accompany the state and national government on their assessments to the Mortlocks, or the state team in the lagoon islands.
The goal was to determine the severity of the damage as a result of the triggering event described above that occurred between December 7th -12th 2008 throughout Micronesia to subsistence crops consumed by the islanders for sustenance. The primary agricultural crop to be assessed was taro which is a staple food consumed by the islanders. Other important food sources include breadfruit, banana, papaya, and coconut.
II. Assessment Team
U.S. Government FSM National Government State Government John Quidachay – USAID Oleen Poll Wilfred Robert Jeff Perreault – USGS Marlyter Sleeper Sared
III. Assessment Information
Crops Damaged Island Population Taro Breadfruit Banana Total Pop. 38,873 Lagoon Islands Tonas 3,910 NA NA NA Fefen 4062 NA NA NA Siis 490 Negligible NA NA Uman 2847 NA NA NA Paren 385 NA NA NA Faichuk Eot 382 NA NA NA
9 Udot 1774 Moderate NA NA Romanum 1011 NA NA NA Fanapanges 681 NA NA NA Wonei 1271 NA NA NA Paata 1950 NA NA NA Tol 5129 Negligible NA NA Polle 1851 NA NA NA Mortlocks Nama 995 Destroyed Moderate Minor Losap 448 Destroyed Moderate Minor Piis-Emwar 427 Destroyed Moderate Minor Namoluk 407 Destroyed Moderate Minor Ettal 267 Destroyed Moderate Minor Lekinioch 927 Destroyed Moderate Minor Oneop 505 Destroyed Moderate Minor Satowan 955 Destroyed Moderate Minor Kuttu 873 Destroyed Moderate Minor Moch 854 Destroyed Moderate Minor Ta 253 Destroyed Moderate Minor Namonuitos Houk 451 Destroyed Minor Severe Polowat 1015 Destroyed Minor Minor Pollap 905 Destroyed Minor Severe Tamatam 365 Destroyed Minor Minor Makur 156 Destroyed Moderate Moderate Onoun 598 Destroyed Minor Severe Onou 182 Destroyed Moderate Moderate Unanu 178 Destroyed Minor Moderate Piherarh 227 Destroyed Minor Minor Nowmin 711 Destroyed Minor Moderate Halls Fanau 355 Minor Minor Minor Ruo 469 Minor Minor Minor Murillo 607 Destroyed Minor Minor
IV. Assessment Notes
Chuuk Northern Atolls (Halls, Namonuito and Westerns,): Subsistence crops on atolls are extremely susceptible to climate events such as the one that occurred between December 7th and 12th 2008. Crops such as swamp taro that is cultivated at or near ground water level are at risk of being seriously affected by extreme increases in tides and wave surges. The Northern and Southern Chuuk outer atolls, experienced these extreme conditions, in either increased ground water salinity or overland flows, or both. Standing salt water up to eight inches in depth inundated
10 taro farms for up to 72 hours, predisposing taro corms to rot and eventual mortality. The high mortality was further exacerbated by a crop that was recovering from two similar events, one in 2007, the other in early 2008. Islanders salvaged but a small percentage of the remaining crop, but not enough to sustain their food needs over the next 18 months. Swamp taro is the most important food crop for this region. It serves as the bridge between seasonal crops such as breadfruit. It is considered the consistently available food crop. Other crops such as breadfruit, Colocasia taro (dryland), coconuts, papaya, pumpkin and bananas are not enough to replace the taro crop, due to their seasonality, smaller plantings, and/or their lower yields per unit area. The outer islands of Chuuk and have essentially lost their swamp taro resource. They continue to try techniques to restore this crop, but as long as salt water toxicity remains a threat, it is not likely that they will be successful. Further, even once reestablished, taro will take two or more years to mature. While some early fruiting of breadfruit will fulfill short term needs, a full crop is not expected for at least 60 days and is not likely to be a very productive as a result of this event.
Morlocks (Southern Atolls) State and FSM officials submitted their findings for the Mortlocks. Their assessments are consistent with assessments in the Northern Atolls. Overall damage assessments are consistent with findings in the Northern Islands.
Lagoon Islands: A comprehensive agricultural assessment was conducted by a disaster assessment team from Chuuk State and the National Government between January 1st and 7th. On January 13, 2009, the USG Assessment Team accompanied national and state government representatives to assess damages on three islands to verify by sample the findings by the Chuuk State.
o Toll Island: Abandon taro farm due to chronic salt intrusion was not event caused. o Udot Island (Pennia): Event caused mortality (50%) or moderate mortality. o Siis Island: Destroyed (90%) mortality not event caused.
Unlike the outer atolls, the lagoon islands are high volcanic islands with well developed soils and very good water availability provided by generally healthy watersheds that provide high yields of surface and ground water supplies. Failure of taro farms are primarily due to poor farming techniques and location of farms too close to the coastal plain, thereby exposing plants to high tide and surge events. From the three islands sampled, it is likely that taro farms throughout the remaining islands suffer from the same conditions. Breadfruit will be in season the next 4-8 weeks and all indications from flowering, crop will be abundant for sustenance to supplement taro. Further observed were crops such as cassava, dry land
11 taro, sweet potatoes, and cucumber cultivated in the upland transition zone. Banana yields will be normal; however nematode virus infected plants will see diminished fruit. Coconut and papaya will have normal yields.
POHNPEI STATE:
I. Background
On January 5, 2008 the team departed on the FSS Caroline Voyager for an assessment of the outer islands of Pohnpei including Sapwuahfik Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi, Oroluk Pingelap Mwoakilloa. The team consisted of an Agricultural and food security specialist (USAID/OFDA) an Agricultural Specialist (USDA/Guam) and a Water and Sanitation Specialist from the Centers for Disease Control. In addition to the USG presence, the FSM government and Pohnpei state government representatives also participated in the assessment trip. The ship which carried the assessment team also carried relief supplies for the population, which included rice and sugar and ramen, blankets and sheets from the Micronesian Red Cross and a medical doctor who visited local clinics at each island to provide health services above and beyond those normally provided on island.
Initially, the team had planned to visit all islands via the FSS Caroline Voyager. Ultimately, the time lag between the Voyager’s first and second assessment trips made it necessary for the team to assess the final two islands on January 14th via a chartered flight.
At each island an agricultural team and the water team assessed damage by counting destroyed and damaged plants and estimating or measuring total plot size or total number of plants. When possible, interviews with island inhabitants complemented the field assessment findings and helped ensure that the damage recorded was attributable to the most recent event. At nearly every meeting there was an introduction to the village chief and/or mayor and village residents accompanied the assessment trip or guided the team to the taro patches and wells.
II. Assessment Team
U.S. Government FSM National State Government Government Julie March – USAID Dickson Wichep Lt. Governor Churchill Vince Radke – CDC Gibson Susumu Senator Dohsis Halbert Craig Smith – USDA Patterson Lawrence Senator Resio S. Moses
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III. Assessment Information
Crops Damaged Island Population Taro Breadfruit Banana POHNPEI STATE 2,308 Outer Islands Mwoakilloa 177 Negligible Negligible Negligible Pingelap 438 Negligible Negligible Negligible Sapwuahfik 857 Negligible Negligible Negligible Nukuoro 362 Moderate Severe Moderate Kapingamarangi 474 Severe Moderate Severe
IV. Assessment Notes
Sapwuahfik: An island inhabited by approximately 100 families or an estimated 400 people (2002 census reports 857 people). The team arrived on Sapwuahfik and after meeting with the local mayor and community members, divided by sector to assess the damage caused by the most recent storm surge. The tidal surge of salt water did not reach the taro patches which appeared undamaged. Except for the loss of 60 coconut trees near the airstrip, no additional crop damage was observed. The airstrip is built upon the water, and is believed by residents to have broken some of the force of the larger-than-normal waves. Three local houses were also reported to have been damaged.
Nukuoro: Beginning on December 7, 2008, water surged up and over the coastline of Nukuoro and its surrounding islands. Over the next three days, the water remained in several areas through out the island. While nearly all of the residents (362) of the Nukuoro atoll reside upon the main island, the livelihoods of the population and their food security depend upon two nearby uninhabited islands used primarily for taro and food crop production. The destroyed crops were evaluated by island and then the total value combined into one percentage for the atoll since the uninhabited islands are treated as additional agricultural land for food production for the main island. The loss of taro for the main island and the agricultural island approached a combined 60%, or moderate, while the
13 loss of breadfruit was an estimated 80% or severe. The breadfruit loss was surprising as it affected smaller younger trees and very large older trees. Although banana plants were not as numerous, of those that were on the island, loss was estimated to be moderate.
• Kapingamarangi: Kapingamarangi has two main inhabited islands connected by a concrete footbridge and two smaller primarily agricultural islands. The population reported by the community is approximately 400 people (474 by 2002 census data). Of the five taro plots on the two inhabited islands of Touhou and Werua, four were destroyed. On the uninhabited islands of Lolongaahi and Lungundolu taro was also significantly destroyed (85%). Losses for the total agricultural area were estimated at a moderate loss of taro (77% ) and breadfruit, (63% ), banana and a negligible loss of coconut (10%).
Oroluk: is an island with 7 inhabitants. The island was assessed for damage and of three taro patches, two smaller ones were unharmed while the larger plot was damaged resulting in a moderate loss (50%), of taro for the island. There was also negligible coconut loss of 7%..
Pingelap: was reached by air and the team included the USAID Agriculture Advisor, the CDC Water and Sanitation Advisor, the Lt. Governor, and the Infrastructure rep from FSM. Pingelap has an estimated 200 residents (438 by 2002 census) and damage by the storm was minimal with around 100 coconut trees lost to the wave surges.
Mwoakilloa: was also visited by air, has an estimated 100 residents (177 by 2002 census) and suffered negligible damage as a result of the storm surges.
V. Assessment Notes
Most crop damage on the islands was to taro and breadfruit from salt water inundation and upwelling from below the soil as a result of wave surges on December 7-12th. Coconut loss was primarily from root exposure by sea waves.
KOSRAE STATE:
I. Background
The USG PDA, consisting of an USAID/USDA Agricultural Specialist and a FEMA Individual Assistance/Infrastructure Specialist left Pohnpei State for Kosrae State on January 16th. The team met immediately with the Lt. Governor of Kosrae, the Hon. William Tosie. The Lt. Governor welcomed the team and reiterated his concern regarding the effects of the unusually high tides and coastal erosion on the island’s roads and homes. The PDA Team Leader
14 informed the Lt. Governor of the PDA process. The PDA team then met with members of the Kosraean Disaster Committee. The Agricultural Specialist and Individual Assistance/ Infrastructure Specialist departed the State of Kosrae on January 17th. The SBA Loss Verifier remained on Kosrae two more days to inspect damages to small businesses, departing Kosrae on January 19, 2009.
II. Assessment Team
U.S. Government FSM National State Government Government John Quidachay- Dickson Wichep Vinsen Henry USAID/USDA Marilyn Shigetani-FEMA Simpson Abraham Various members of the Disaster Committee Virgilio Macion-SBA
III. Assessment Information
Agriculture
Crops Damaged % Municipality Population Taro Breadfruit Banana 7,686 Lelu 2,591 NA NA NA Malem 1,571 Negligible Negligible Negligible Utwe 1,067 NA NA NA Tafunsak 2,457 Negligible Negligible Negligible
There was no evidence of drought on Kosrae. According to the Kosrae Island Resource Management Agency (KIRMA), Kosrae receives 250 inches of rainfall each year and this year’s rainfall is normal. Unlike the taro patches located on many of the islands and atolls in Chuuk State, many of the taro patches on Kosrae are situated inland, and, as such, received no or little damage from the high tidal surge. A few taro patches within the tidal zone showed minor damage, estimated at less than 20 percent. The loss of beach vegetation and the resulting increase in salt spray has caused dieback of a small number of breadfruit trees along portions of the coast. Overall, the island’s breadfruit trees, tapioca plants, farm plots and various fruit trees were assessed as healthy and flourishing. Coconut trees located on the coast have fallen victim to the coastal erosion; however their loss does not negatively impact this food and natural cooking oil resource. There are no food security issues within Kosrae resulting from the December 7 -12, 2008 tidal surge event.
Individual Assistance
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A total of 31 homes were assessed in the municipalities of Tafunsak and Lelu.. Of the 31 homes, 2 were destroyed, 13 received major damages, 13 minor damages and 3 were deemed affected. The two homes destroyed were of wood and tin construction. Homes that received major damages had evident damages to the foundations, compromising the integrity of the homes. Minor damages to homes consisted of loss of windows, doors and evidence of internal flooding. All of these homes sustained some personal loss due to the inundation of power waves and tides. The Small Business Administration noted damages to 65 businesses.
Infrastructure:
Originally the State of Kosrae had reported an estimated loss of $1,300,952 to its infrastructure. After the pre-PDA brief with the Lt. Governor and key Kosraean State staff, it was determined that the costs reported were actually for a proposed new construction of a shoreline protection project. This proposed new construction consisted of seven separate sections totaling 13,615 feet. The intent was to construct a tidal protection barrier of armor rocks about 5 feet off shore. The protection barrier would then be attached to the existing seawall at each of the seven sites. The seven sites for the construction of these tidal protection barriers were chosen by the State of Kosrae based on evidence of continued beach erosion. Once the PDA team explained that mitigation measures could not be justified unless there was evidence that the erosion, caused by the December 7-12, 2008 tidal surge, resulted in an immediate threat to infrastructure, the State of Kosrae withdrew 6/7 sites for inspection. As a result only one segment of coastal road, 200 feet in length (Inkanong to Kemeun Section) was inspected. The road showed evidence of severe coastal erosion, cutting into about three feet of the road shoulder and about 1 foot under the road itself.
3. PDA TEAM MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS:
Agriculture:
Chuuk: o Re-establish regular fieldtrip supply schedules. o Adopt Yap State agricultural methods using controlled system of raised planters. o Conserve plant materials and harvest as soon as possible (On some of the islands, inhabitants immediately harvested what taro they could after the inundation because they had learned from prior episodes that much of the taro would not recover and would be lost. o Utilize food preserving techniques o Use irrigation catchments designed for taro. o Seek the use of funding sources from grants, NGOs.
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Kosrae: o Remove debris from culvert pipe to drain standing water in taro parcels from upland surface runoff. o Replace undersized culverts to accommodate peak flow events from surface and tidal surge return flows. Use 30” culvert pipe. o Install more culverts as precautionary measures in strategic locations for extreme tidal return flows.
Pohnpei and Yap: o Digging ditches to facilitate the outflow of salt water from the taro patches o Conserving plant materials and harvesting (see Chuuk above) o Re-establish regular fieldtrip supply schedules. o Pohnpei should adopte Yap State agricultural methods using controlled system of raised planters. o Use catchment irrigation designs taro and other alternative drops. Use USGS, Hawaii based water experts to design systems. o Seek the use of funding sources from grants and NGOs.
Water:
Ground-water resources had, where comparable data existed, degraded in comparison to previous surveys, and were found in some locations to be below levels where new plantings would survive. This finding was likely the result of two factors: increasing populations and their commensurate demands, and sampling during the period of seasonally low rainfall. Ground water represents the dominant, and frequently the sole, source of irrigation water for wetland taro throughout FSM. At these salinity levels, it’s likely that crop yields will be significantly lower, if any crop is produced at all. Recovery at these islands may take more a year given normal rainfall conditions, or longer if rainfall continues to be below trend.
Remediation efforts should focus on agricultural practices, including crop selection and solutions to elevate the wetland taro patches and separate them from direct contact with groundwater. With regard to potable water, enhancements to the catchment systems should be high priority; current efficiency is likely less than 5% of capacity. With regard to ground water, all dug wells should be based at or above surrounding grade, and fitted with a raised abutment (12 to 24 in.); currently the dug wells often act as a preferred pathway for contaminants to enter the freshwater aquifer.
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