How Hurricane Harvey's Floodwaters Could Harm Coral Reefs in the Gulf of Mexico

As Hurricane Harvey's floodwaters recede across Texas and Louisiana, they may soon affect another vulnerable community: the coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.One hundred miles off the Gulf Coast lie the Flower Garden Banks, a national marine sanctuary named for the brightly colored corals and other marine life first spied by fishermen at the turn of the last century. The Banks encompass two coral reefs and a shallower coral community that occupy around 56 square miles.   Continue reading...