Coastal Hazards Vulnerability Analysis

The HVA project is developing a geospatial analysis tool for performing regionally consistent evaluations of coastal hazard vulnerability. The goals of the project are to deliver geospatial tools that can be used by coastal managers and scientists, using meaningful, pertinent datasets and clear definitions of “vulnerability” and “hazards.” The project team has undertaken an extensive literature review, is enhancing an existing geospatial shoreline change analysis tool (AMBUR) to provide the capability to conduct new, innovative HVAs, and has identified pilot study areas in each State for testing and application of the HVA analysis tool once complete. Simultaneously with the tool development, the team is collecting numerous physical and socioeconomic shoreline datasets, which will be used in the final HVA. The HVA takes into account multiple hazards, leveraging existing and creating new geospatial data and incorporating both natural environmental and social vulnerabilities. Successfully assessing physical and socioeconomic vulnerabilities in a coherent, integrated manner is a long-standing need for effective coastal management.

PROJECT TEAM

LEAD PI
Clark Alexander – Skidaway Institute of Oceanography – clark.alexander@skio.usg.edu

STATE AGENCY LEADS
Ken Richardson – NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources
Jessica Boynton – SC Department of Health & Environmental Control
Jennifer Kline – GA Dept. of Natural Resources
Julie Dennis – FL Dept. of Environmental Protection

TECHNICAL LEADS
J.P. Walsh – East Carolina University
Scott Howard – SC Geological Survey
Clark Alexander – Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
John M. Jaeger – University of Florida

AMBUR-HVA DEVELOPER
Chester (CJ) Jackson – Georgia Southern University