Coastal Solutions Workshop

Modeling, Prediction, and Sensor Networks for Coastal Flooding in the U.S. East Coast

Date: July 23, 2020
Host Organization: Ocean Visions
FIU Speaker: Jayantha Obeysekera

Information: In recent years, a growing number of projects are focusing on the design and implementation of integrated observing and modeling systems through sustained, active partnership with coastal communities facing more frequent and severe flooding. In an effort to coordinate and accelerate these parallel research efforts, and their translation into tangible solutions for community stakeholders, this workshop will provide a forum to identify synergies, best practices, and opportunities for greater collaboration amongst these researchers. 

Dr. Jayantha Obeysekera of the FIU Institute of Environment's Sea Level Solutions Center will be presenting in the first session of the workshop. His talk is entitled "Climate Science Support to Stakeholders" and below is a summary of his project.

Southeast Florida is already experiencing effects of rising sea levels, and in general, climate change. Environmental shocks and stresses have been predicted to increase both in terms of magnitude and frequency, and the resiliency programs in the region desire how evolving science should be used in planning of adaptation strategies. The Sea Level Solutions Center in the Institute of Environment at Florida International University has been assisting local and regional governments, nongovernmental organizations, and the general public to translate science for making planning decisions. Key research topics at the center include but are not limited to the prediction of flooding, understanding land-ocean interaction, smart and connected monitoring, regional water management, sea level rise projections, and understanding cascading impacts of hazards, and economic assessment. Citizen science is a major component of our project. The center is assisting the Florida Building Commission and the Florida Department of Transportation by conducting modeling to recommend how the planning and design guidance should be altered to address rising sea levels and changing rainfall. The center is also active in Everglades Research.

You can view a video of his presentation or find out more information about this event.