Coastal Alabama residents using nature to protect against hurricane damage

As hurricane season approaches, residents along the western shore of Mobile Bay are turning to nature to fortify their properties against future storms. For John Cutts, the realization that traditional bulkheads were failing came after watching an oak tree vanish into the bay, followed by the destruction of his retaining wall during hurricanes Sally and Zeta. Recognizing that constant, expensive repairs to manmade barriers were unsustainable, Cutts began seeking a more resilient solution.

Building a Living Shoreline

Cutts has organized a coalition of 15 landowners to implement a "living shoreline." This restoration strategy uses natural materials to mitigate erosion, protect property, and enhance the local ecosystem. Unlike static, hardened walls, these natural barriers aim to absorb wave energy and stabilize the coast through vegetation and strategic sediment management.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, living shorelines are increasingly favored for their ecological benefits and lower maintenance costs. By fostering environments for grasses and marine life, these systems grow stronger over time as roots anchor the shoreline, providing better defense against storm surge than traditional concrete structures.

The Urgency of Restoration

The data underscores the need for such projects. A 2025 report from the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, “State of Alabama’s Estuaries and Coast,” revealed significant land loss, with portions of the western shore retreating nearly 10 meters between 2009 and 2021. In total, the area lost 77 acres of tidal marsh during that period.

Christian Miller, public sector program lead for the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, emphasizes that this is a collective effort. "Even if you don’t live on the water, you use these resources," Miller said. The program is currently working to involve the Utopia Club on Mon Louis Island and Cutts’ neighborhood group, hoping to achieve a critical mass of natural coastal protection.

Proven Success on the Bay

Early adopters are already seeing the benefits. In Coden, a 2013 project protected property from the impacts of Hurricane Sally. Jackie Wilson, who operates Bama Bay Oyster Farm, credits the living shoreline with saving her property’s integrity. The project, which utilizes pocket beaches and rock breakwaters, has shown that it is possible to balance property protection with environmental stewardship.

For the Peninsula of Mobile, a nonprofit organization stewarding the western bay, the work is moving forward with a $150,000 grant from the Gulf Coast Environmental Engagement Center. These funds, combined with support from the Estuary Program, are providing the necessary momentum to make these natural defenses a reality.

While federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has helped support these initial steps, advocates like Cutts are calling for long-term commitment. From the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement to projects like the $30 million Dauphin Island Causeway Shoreline Restoration, past efforts demonstrate the scale of the challenge. As Cutts looks toward the future, he remains optimistic: "From public to private, it’s a shared responsibility."