Coastal Risk Management

The focus of JBA’s Coastal Risk Management Team is the marine environment and its risks and opportunities. This includes a variety of themes ranging from coastal flood modelling and flood warning studies to site suitability analysis for marine renewable energy schemes.

Europe’s long history of maritime trade and seaside tourism has ensured that many of our areas of highest population density are located either directly on the coast or along tidal rivers and estuaries. Their consequent proximity to the sea has left these densely populated areas susceptible to flooding from storm surges and waves.

The most devastating coastal flood event to affect Europe occurred on 31 January 1953, when a massive storm surge coincided closely with the time of high tide. The result was the worst natural disaster in northern Europe over the past two centuries. In total, 2,400 people lost their lives. In the UK, 24,600 homes and businesses were flooded, whilst in the Netherlands more than 3,000 homes and farms were destroyed. It has been estimated that if the 1953 flood event occurred today, the cost to British insurers alone could be as high as £7 billion. Whilst future climate change predictions have a high degree of uncertainty, there is little doubt that the threat posed by coastal flooding is on the rise.

Our scientists have developed new techniques to quantify exposure to coastal flood risk at a precision not previously possible. To learn more about how our Coastal Risk Management team can help you, please continue to browse these pages or contact Dr Mark Lawless.