ESTIMATING THE STORM PROTECTION VALUE OF THE BEACH/DUNE SYSTEM: A GEOSPATIAL APPROACH

A combination of anecdotes and post-imagery during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy demonstrated the variety in scale of impacts incurred by coastal communities dependent on the type of coastal protection provided. Particularly, natural or recently constructed dunes suggested better protection in terms of property damage than other types of coastal protection or lack thereof. At a point where storm severity is predicted to increase, coastal development is on the rise, and beach nourishment challenges are growing, the protection values of the dune/beach system on reducing property damage is of growing importance. This study attempts to measure the value of the beach/dune system in storm protection and how it varies among different dune characteristics. Utilizing HAZUS-MH, the Federal Emergency Management Agency standardized GIS-based software that measures potential losses from hurricane winds and floods, a damage avoidance cost method will be performed by simulation with and without the established dune structure. Due to the geospatial manner of the study, a regression based equation can be calculated to enable a functional benefit transfer model. This information will allow decision makers to better analyze the need to maintain or establish coastal dunes as well as recognize potential opportunities a community can pursue in building resilience.