GIS and Hazard Assessment: Four Case Studies
Using GIS to examine coastal flooding threats and conducting damage assessments in four coastal communities.
Collier County, Florida
This map reflects an evaluation of building risks impacted by 1 meter of storm surge in Collier County. Hurricane Ian landed north of this area as a category 4 hurricane causing flood-related damage in low areas. Data used for this project included USGS and LiDAR digital elevation models (DEMs) and overlaying with parcel data from Collier County. The results can help advise planners on identifying properties at continued risks of these storms and developing proper mitigation plans.
Marco Island, Florida
This map reflects an evaluation of building risks impacted by 1 meter of storm surge in southern Marco Island, Florida. On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian landed north of this area as a category 4 hurricane causing flood-related damage in low areas. Data used for this project included USGS and LiDAR digital elevation models (DEMs) and overlaying with parcel data from Collier County. The results can help advise planners on identifying properties at continued risks of these storms and developing proper mitigation plans.
Mantoloking, New Jersey
This map explores changes in elevation and building distribution after Hurricane Sandy by comparing aerial LiDAR images of Mantoloking before and after the storm. Various communities of Eastern Seaboard especially those along the Jersey Shore including Mantoloking were impacted by the storm which made landfall here as a category 2 hurricane on October 29, 2023. This map can direct local leaders, planners, and developers to areas of the greatest need for stabilization and restoration as well as those most vulnerable to future storms.
Ortley Beach, New Jersey
This image shows a GIS analysis of the varying levels of storm damage to structures in an area of Ortley Beach, New Jersey based on distance from the coastline (0-100 meters, 100-200 meters, and 200-300 meters). Ortley Beach is one of the areas that experienced the most destruction from Hurricane Sandy, which made landfall here on October 29, 2023.
The analysis found that over half of the houses (67%) within 100 meters of the coast were destroyed while significantly less (15%) were destroyed between 100-200 meters, and even less than those between 200 and 300 meters (2%). All structures within 100 meters experienced at least minor damage, while just over ¼ (29%) of structures within 100 meters and 200 meters experienced minor damage, and even less for those between 200 to 300 meters (7%).
These results support reasonable setbacks of developments from shorelines, especially in light of the eminent threats from rising seas and increased storm events, be in place to mitigate future hazards.