Abstract
Hurricane events combine ocean storm surge penetration with inland runoff flooding. This article presents a new methodology to determine coastal flood levels caused by the combination of storm surge and surface runoff. The proposed approach couples the Simulating Waves Nearshore model and the Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) model with the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA) two-dimensional hydrologic model. Radar precipitation data in a 2D hydrologic model with a circulation model allows simulation of time and spatially varied conditions. The method was applied to study flooding scenarios occurring during the passage of Hurricane Georges (1998) on the east coast of Puerto Rico. The combination of storm surge and surface runoff produced a critical scenario, in terms of flood depth, at this location. The paper describes the data collection process, circulation and hydrologic models, their assemblage and simulation scenarios. Results show that peak flow from inland runoff and peak flow due to storm surge did not coincide in the coastal zone; however, the interaction of both discharges causes an aggravated hazardous condition by increasing flood levels beyond those obtained with storm surge penetration only. Linking of storm surge and hydrologic models are necessary when storm surge conditions occur simultaneously with high precipitation over steep and small coastal watersheds.
Highlights
Flood inundation maps are useful for planning and management of floodplains, evacuation routes for communities, definition of no-build zones, development of safe and cost-effective design criteria for hydraulic structures, among other uses [1]
This study presents a methodology to link storm surge and two-dimensional hydrologic models for storm surge penetration and inland runoff
Simulations with data from Hurricane Georges making landfall in Puerto Rico showed higher flood levels and peak discharges near the coastline when inland runoff and storm surge penetration are simulated, as compared with storm surge levels fixed at the river mouth
Summary
Flood inundation maps are useful for planning and management of floodplains, evacuation routes for communities, definition of no-build zones, development of safe and cost-effective design criteria for hydraulic structures, among other uses [1]. Coastal zones are subject to storm surge conditions. These areas are affected by the combination of two processes: (i) surface runoff flood due to inland precipitation and (ii) storm surge generated by meteorological and astronomical tides [2]. The interaction between these effects is critical in determining flood risk in coastal zones [3]. According to Bacopoulos et al [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
