Real-time and observed measurements of hurricane-induced hydrodynamics and flooding
Abstract
Large coastal storms are capable of generating elevated water levels and dangerous wave conditions that can cause extensive flooding, significant landscape changes, and destruction of property, which pose a severe risk to our nations densely populated and ecologically sensitive coastlines. Observations of storm-induced hydrodynamics and flooding can strengthen our efforts to build resilient coastal communities before storms strike, and guide our storm response and recovery strategies. Past storms have shown that storm surge and waves are the primary drivers of coastal-community destruction and cause dramatic physical changes to the environment, including beach and dune erosion, overtopping of coastal barriers (e.g., dunes, seawalls), breaching of dunes and barrier islands, and damage to infrastructure (e.g., roads, buildings). The landward extent of the surge transports saline water, sediment, and debris to constructed and natural environments that are, otherwise, rarely impacted by direct ocean waters; bay/sound-side shorelines are also susceptible to storm-induced flooding events and can be just as destructive. Documenting the height, extent, and timing of storm surge and understanding how overland storm tide and waves evolve and dissipate across natural and man-made landscapes, is critical for improved storm-surge modeling and more accurate flood forecasts; hydrodynamic measurements also allow for the impacts of winds versus water to be distinguished. In turn, these observations and models will promote coastal resilience, facilitate better community preparation and evacuation planning, and provide more effective early warnings of storm-driven flooding. The objective of this proposal is to provide in-situ measurements of offshore waves, and both offshore and inland water levels, to validate predictions of waves, surge, and structure interaction and damage due to hurricanes and extreme storms. This work of a hurricane making landfall on the U.S. Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico coastlines. This proposed work will be accomplished during two (2) hurricanes (and/or tropical storms) in each project year (2022, 2023, and 2024) with an option to collect data during a third additional third storm. Transects will be designed to capture the arrival, transformation, and devolution of waves, storm tide, and currents impacting nearshore waters, beaches, dunes, and inland areas. Expansion of select transects will include the addition of a directional wave buoy with a co-located real-time pressure gauge (~20m water depth), a current meter (2-10m water depth), and a combination of real-time and self-recording water-level and wave sensors spanning the beach, including (i) at the shoreline, (ii) seaward of and near the dune toe, (iii) at the dune crest, and (iv) shoreward of the dune heal, as well as extending inland (within coastal communities).
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 05, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112185
Entities
People
- Pieter Smit
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy