Using ADCIRC and HEC-FIA Modeling to Predict Storm Surge Impact on Coastal Infrastructure

Abstract

More than one-third of the United States population is at risk of coastal hazards due to hurricanes and nor’easters. A major contributor to this danger is the storm surge due to hurricane-force winds, which inundates coastal infrastructure and damages them due to breaking-wave action. The objective of this study is to develop a modeling framework that links storm surge models to consequence assessment tools so that flood damages can be estimated. To achieve this objective, the storm surge impacts on coastal infrastructure in the Cape Fear North Carolina basin under tropical cyclone conditions will be quantified. For this, the advanced-circulation (AD-CIRC) model will be employed and storm surge inundation will be derived. Digital elevation models from USGS will be used to create AD-CIRC meshes for the North Carolina area, and meteorological inputs from NOAA will be used for tidal forcing in the model. The coastal inundation results will be used as input to the Hydrologic Engineering Centers Flood Impact Analysis (HEC-FIA) program and direct damages to structures and estimated loss of life for these events will be calculated. This analysis will serve as a methodology for future prediction of structural damages, as well as identifying improvements useful for making evacuation decisions for areas under threat of a tropical cyclone.