STORMPACT

Context

Coastal areas are facing increasing exposure to extreme events associated with wave action, sea level rise, and the growing frequency and intensity of storms. These events can cause coastal flooding, erosion, and wave overtopping of coastal defence structures, posing risks to people, infrastructure, and coastal ecosystems. While early warning systems already exist for emergency management, decision-making requires more accurate information tailored to the specific characteristics of each stretch of coastline.

In this context, STORMPACT was launched as an international scientific initiative funded by the Copernicus Marine Service to improve the management of coastal risks associated with marine storms. The project is developing an advanced monitoring, forecasting and early warning service capable of anticipating storm impacts at the local scale several days in advance, providing high-resolution information to support operational risk management.

Objectives

• Develop an advanced monitoring, forecasting and early warning system to assess the impacts of marine storms on coastal areas.
• Improve forecasting capabilities for coastal flooding, erosion and wave overtopping processes.
• Integrate high-resolution hydrodynamic models driven by Copernicus Marine Service data with local observations obtained through coastal videometry systems.
• Generate site-specific operational indicators to support decision-making by authorities responsible for risk management.
• Complement existing early warning systems with more detailed information tailored to local conditions.
• Strengthen climate change adaptation strategies and enhance the resilience of coastal territories.

Results and Expected Impact

STORMPACT provides a decision-support tool capable of accurately estimating the local impacts of marine storms several days before they occur. To achieve this, it combines Copernicus Marine data, high-resolution numerical models and real-time observations from coastal videometry systems, such as the Basque Coastal Videometry Network.

The project has validated its operational tools and methodologies along the transboundary coastline of the south-eastern Bay of Biscay, including the Basque Country, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and the Landes region, enabling more effective coastal risk management. Its results allow local and regional authorities, as well as civil protection agencies, to implement preventive measures tailored to each situation, ranging from enhanced monitoring and surveillance to the activation of warnings, access restrictions or the deployment of temporary protection measures.

Along the Basque coast, STORMPACT contributes to improving the existing early warning system by extending its application to multiple beaches and coastal environments, increasing forecast accuracy and supporting faster and more efficient responses to extreme events. In this way, the project promotes a more resilient approach to coastal management and provides key tools for climate change adaptation.

Participants

Rivages Pro Tech, SUEZ Eau France (France); BRGM – Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (France); SIAME, University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour (France); AZTI (Spain); and Euskalmet – Basque Meteorological Agency (Spain).

Funding