MICORE · Morphological Impacts and COastal Risks induced by Extreme storm events

The project is specifically targeted to contribute to the development of a probabilistic mapping of the morphological impact of marine storms and to the production of early warning and information systems to support long-term disaster reduction. A review of historical storms that had a significant impact on a representative number of sensitive European sites will be undertaken. The nine sites are selected according to wave exposure, tidal regime and socio-economical pressures. They include outmost regions of the European Union at the border with surrounding states (e.g. the area of the Gibraltar Strait, the Baltic and Black Sea). All data will be compiled into in a homogeneous database of occurrence and related socio-economic damages, including the following information on the characteristics of the storms, on their morphological impacts, on the damages caused on society, on the Civil Protection schemes implemented after the events. Monitoring of selected sites will take place for a period of one year to collect new data sets of bathymetry and topography using state-of-the-arts technology (Lidar, ARGUS, Radar, DGPS). The impact of the storms on living and non-living resources will be done using low-cost portable GIS methods. Numerical models of storm-induced morphological changes will be tested and developed, using both commercial packages and developing a new open-source morphological model. The models will be linked to wave and surge forecasting models to set-up a real-time warning system and to implement its usage within Civil Protection agencies. The most important product of the project will be the conception of Storm Impact Indicators (SIIs) with defined threshold for the identification of major morphological changes and flooding associated risks. Finally, the results of the project will be disseminated as risk maps through an effective Web_GIS system.