Coastal Hazard & Risk Assessment

Measured, Defensible Coastal Assessments

Coastal hazards are natural processes that can threaten public safety, damage property, and disrupt social and economic activities. These hazards most commonly arise from coastal flooding driven by elevated water levels and wave action during storms, often accompanied by shoreline erosion. Less frequent but high-impact events, such as tsunamis, can also pose significant hazards. Coastal risk is determined by both the likelihood of a hazardous event occurring and the severity of its potential consequences. Assessing and mitigating these hazards play a critical role in land use planning and development, as well as in shaping risk-informed emergency management plans.