URI_Research_Magazine_Momentum_Fall_2021_Melissa-McCarthy

“It shows updated mapping and modeling of sea level rise scenarios, then sea level rise scenarios on top of storm surge, flood extents and coastal erosion from different types of storm events,” Crean says. “CRC led the stakeholder process and compiled the report for CRMC to enact policies and procedures that serve to disclose coastal risk to Rhode Island’s 21 cities and towns.” The Beach SAMP effort led to the development of RI STORMTOOLS, an interactive online map that illustrates and displays storm inundation, with and without sea level rise, for different types of storms that could occur along Rhode Island’s coastline. It can be used by homeowners and planners to support decision making. Anyone seeking a coastal building or modification permit from CRMC must complete a risk assessment using STORMTOOLS and file the documentation as part of the permit application. Separately, as part of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security effort to develop storm scenario simulations, CRC collaborated with URI’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences and the Graduate School of Oceanography on an impact prediction dashboard tool using high resolution storm models. Called the RI Coastal Hazards Analysis Modeling and Prediction (RICHAMP), the system is geared to emergency managers and municipalities to support planning, preparation, and response.

RI STORMTOOLS

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