Impact of compound flood event on coastal critical infrastructures considering current and future climate

Abstract. The changing climate and anthropogenic activities raise the likelihood of damage due to compound flood hazards, triggered by combined occurrence extreme precipitation storm surge during high tides exacerbated sea-level rise (SLR). Risk estimates associated with these event scenarios are expected be significantly higher than derived from a standard evaluation individual hazards. In this study, we present case studies hazards affecting critical infrastructure (CI) in coastal Connecticut (USA). We based analysis on actual synthetic (considering future conditions for atmospheric forcing, rise, forecasted hurricane tracks) events, represented heavy SLR conditions. used Hydrologic Engineering Center's River Analysis System (HEC-RAS), two-dimensional hydrodynamic model, simulate riverine flooding selected CI sites. forced distributed hydrological model (CREST-SVAS) weather data Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) events National Land Data Assimilation (NLDAS) derive upstream boundary condition (flood wave) HEC-RAS. extracted tide time series each Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) use as downstream significant outcome study represents changes risk sites various (under current conditions). This approach offers an estimate potential impact relative 100-year maps produced Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is vital developing mitigation strategies. broader sense, provides framework assessing factors our modern located vulnerable areas throughout world.