Living on the Edge of the GulfThe Gulf coast of Florida and Alabama is a fragile combination of barrier islands, low lying marshes, and highly erodable mainland shores. In addition to sea level rise, winter storms, and altered sediment supplies, hurricanes frequently damage or destroy the human developments and infrastructures that line this coast. Indeed, a single storm can cause billions of dollars in losses. Memories of such hurricanes as Camille, Frederic, Opal, and Andrew