Assessing Extreme Storm Event Inundation in Boston Using Spatial Rainfall, 2-Dimensional Dynamic Flood Modeling, and Innovative Visualization Tools

摘要

This project represents an important milestone in the Comission's effort to increase its preparedness for the effects of climate change. This study provides a baseline understanding of existing climate risks which could be used to focus on areas of future study. The results and findings of this project will allow the Commission to communicate existing risks from increasingly intense rainfall, sea level rise, and storm surge to diverse and non-technical audiences. This an important result of the project, as increased understanding of existing risks among diverse audiences will help facilitate public support for further study and preparedness efforts. In general, this project finds that the combined impact of sea level rise and storm surge poses a significant threat to Boston, its citizens, and its infrastructure. As such, solutions that protect Boston's coastal infrastructure from the effects of higher tide levels should be studied and constructed before sea levels reach the levels analyzed in this study. Since the probability of severe storm events that are associated with storm surge continues to increase (as documented in the BRAG report), the urgency of coastal resiliency measures continues to increase each year as the combined threat of sea level rise and storm surge grows.