Study Reveals Predictable Timing of Coastal Floods
A groundbreaking study led by UCF researcher Ivan Haigh has revealed that coastal flooding follows predictable daily tidal patterns. Published in Nature Communications, the research highlights how tidal signals influence flood timing, even in areas with varying tidal systems such as semidiurnal and diurnal tides. Using tide gauge data from the U.S. and U.K., the study found that floods in Boston often occur around noon and midnight, while Southern California experiences them more frequently in the morning. The findings emphasize the role of tides in determining flood timing, even for storm-driven events. As sea levels rise, this predictability becomes increasingly significant, offering potential improvements in flood forecasting and emergency planning.
