Early Warning and Monitoring Systems (flooding, overtopping)

Problem addressed

Storms, waves, and extreme weather events are increasingly impacting ports, coastal infrastructure, and shoreline communities. The lack of reliable monitoring and forecasting systems increases vulnerability in these environments and raises the economic and environmental costs associated with each extreme event.

What we do and how we do it

• We collect oceanographic data through the EUSKOOS network (buoys, tide gauges, HF radars, coastal stations) and through coastal video-monitoring technologies (KostaSystem).
• We integrate these data into our own operational observation portal, as well as into reference platforms such as Euskalmet and Copernicus Marine Service, ensuring open and standardised access.
• We provide information used by organisations such as Salvamento Marítimo (SASEMAR) to support emergency operations along the coast and offshore.
• We collaborate with Basque, national, and European institutions to develop predictive models for waves, flooding, and overtopping.
• We validate and transfer methodologies through international projects focused on coastal resilience and climate change adaptation.

Key benefits

• Immediate emergency response, with systems already used by civil protection and maritime rescue services.
• Anticipation and reduction of risks related to flooding and overtopping.
• A unique integrated approach in the Basque Country: no other actor combines observation, modelling, and real-time transfer.
• Increased resilience of ports and coastal municipalities to climate change.
• European recognition through interoperability with Copernicus and EuroGOOS.