New Skills and Challenges in Coastal Flooding Analysis

 In my recent coastal flooding analysis project, I encountered several new skills and challenges that have broadened my understanding and capabilities in GIS.

One of the new skills I developed was working with Lidar data to create Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). I started by gathering pre- and post-Sandy Lidar data and converting them to TINs and then to raster formats. This process allowed me to visualize and analyze the elevation changes caused by the storm. I noticed significant differences, particularly an increase in low-lying areas post-Sandy, indicating substantial erosion and deposition of debris. This step was crucial for understanding the storm's impact on the coastal landscape.

Another significant aspect of the project was comparing the impacts of storm surges using different DEMs: a high-resolution Lidar DEM and a traditional USGS DEM. I calculated the number of buildings affected by a 1-meter storm surge for each model, revealing discrepancies due to differences in resolution and accuracy. This exercise underscored the importance of using high-quality elevation data for precise flood risk assessments.

Overall, this project taught me valuable skills in Lidar data processing, DEM creation, and advanced flood modeling techniques. It also highlighted the challenges of making realistic assumptions in environmental analysis and the importance of using detailed, accurate data to inform decision-making!