Caribbean storm surge mapping – an overview towards guidelines

Abstract

Hurricane waves and surges can have a crippling effect on economic growth in Caribbean island states. In reducing the vulnerability to these disasters, exposed areas to storm surge must first be identified and inundation levels predicted. Various methods and models have been applied to estimate storm surge at sub-regional scales and for coastal sites and towns. The approach used to filter and utilise the hurricane data, and the statistical methods employed to develop final values are often different. The territories through different funding agencies have sponsored several projects to map storm surge, but there has not been a single unified project or approach. This paper puts into perspective the requirements for storm surge evaluation, outlines the varying approaches relevant for the region and re-emphasises the need for an established set of regional guidelines.