A storm surge is an abnormally high sea level produced by
severe atmospheric conditions. Much of the Earth’s coastline, including parts
of Ireland, is potentially at risk from extensive flooding, with major damage
to property and infrastructure, and in severe cases, loss of life. As such, it
is critical that appropriate models and forecasting algorithms are developed, whose
outputs can be used to accurately and appropriately forewarn at-risk coastal
populations, or aid them in developing their social and infrastructural
capacity to withstand such events in future.
Currently, modelling and forecasting efforts predominantly
focus on using in-situ data, Numerical Weather Prediction and Numerical Ocean
Prediction as inputs. However, there
are several ways in which Earth Observation data could be used to improve storm
surge forecasting. For example, sea surface wind-speed (from scatterometers) and
sea surface height (from altimeters) can be monitored, whilst storm systems and
conditions can be tracked. To this end, the ESA-funded eSurge project aims both
to provide easy access to relevant Earth Observation data, whilst encouraging
its uptake into on-going storm-surge modelling and forecasting efforts. The eSurge
consortium (led by Logica UK and consisting of KNMI, DMI, NOC, and UCC’s CMRC
with Techworks Marine) aims to demonstrate the value of using EO data. Running online
courses and a training workshop in Ireland, eSurge will build capacity in
making best use of available data in forecasting, data assimilation, and on-going
research. Model and satellite data on up to 200 historical storm surge events
will be provided via the eSurge website (www.storm-surge.info),
with which researchers can explore and understand the developing surge events.
These historical data also includes a number of Irish events, with validation
datasets (derived from survey data supplied by the Irish Office of Public
Works) being available alongside the Earth Observation and modelled data
products.