Storm Surge Analysis Helps Forecast Coastal Flooding in Climate Change Era

Scientists from the University of Southampton have conducted an extensive study on storm surges around the British Isles to better predict future coastal flooding amid worsening climate change. The research, covering data from 1980 to 2017, identifies storm surges as key drivers of coastal flooding, caused by wind pushing seawater onshore. The study analyzed 270 extreme storm surge events, revealing that the north coast of the Irish Sea experiences the longest and largest surges, while the south-west coast of England sees the shortest and smallest surges. Notable storm seasons include 1989/90 and 2013/14, with the latter having the highest frequency of severe events. The findings aim to enhance predictive models for coastal impacts and inform infrastructure and emergency response strategies. The study was published in the journal Weather and Climate Extremes and included international collaboration.