FLOODING AND STORM SURGE

• Flooding - Occurs when areas usually not covered by water are engulfed or submerged
• Flash Floods - Rapid inundation of water in less than six hours
• Factors that Influence Flooding:

  1. Rainfall Intensity and Duration
  2. Topography
  3. Soil Conditions
  4. Ground Cover
• Flood hazard maps are used to anticipate the degree of flooding in an area and the extent of damage it can cause
• Geographic Information System (GIS) software allows integration and analysis of geographic or spatial data and organizes them into visualizations such as maps (e.g. Google Earth)
• The Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) is a program for disaster research development which uses advanced technologies and provide information services for improved disaster risk reduction and mitigation
• Storm Surges - An abnormal rise in seawater level during a storm - Undergoes wave shoaling
• Factors that Affect the Occurrence and Severity of a Storm Surge

  1. Strength and Speed of Storm 2. Shape and Characteristics of Coast 3. Width and Slope of the Continental Shelf