University of Central Florida’s Thomas Wahl employs machine learning advancements to predict and mitigate coastal flooding, offering hope and practical solutions for vulnerable communities worldwide.
As coastal regions face heightened risks due to rising sea levels and increasing storm severity, a University of Central Florida researcher is pioneering efforts to better prepare these communities against devastating floods. Thomas Wahl, an associate professor in UCF’s Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, is at the forefront of this initiative through his Coastal Risks & Engineering (CoRE) lab.
Wahl’s lab utilizes machine learning techniques to assess and predict flood risks, providing crucial data for developing sustainable and resilient adaptation strategies. The lab focuses on storm surges, particularly examining the statistical likelihood of events such as one-in-a-hundred-year surges in vulnerable areas, including Tampa, Cedar Key and New Jersey. By simulating both observed and hypothetical flooding scenarios, Wahl’s team enhances our understanding of how to protect these regions more effectively.
Wahl’s innovative approach leverages machine learning to identify complex interactions between wind, pressure and water levels. This technique complements traditional hydrodynamic models, which are known for their computational intensity.
“Ten to 20 years ago, people would’ve said it is impossible to run a global storm surge model to reconstruct storm surge globally for 50 years with a high-fidelity process-based model that actually captures the physics,” Wahl said in a news release. “Now, there are different versions of those models out there that run at the global scale on supercomputers.”
The lab’s groundbreaking efforts are fueled by previous studies, including collaborations with NASA to analyze storm surge behavior over the past century. By examining data from NASA satellites and understanding the intricate relationships between wind, pressure and resulting storm surges, Wahl’s team has set the stage for further advancements in flood prediction and management.
This research has significant implications for regions worldwide. Wahl is currently working with the Department of Defense to study flooding risks at military installations across the globe, and a new project with NASA aims to integrate additional satellite data into their models. These studies also consider the impacts of large-scale climate variations like El Nino and La Nina on storm surge and flood risks.
The practical applications of Wahl’s research are already benefiting communities. For instance, data and methodologies from New Jersey’s flood studies are being applied to Florida’s flood-prone areas, such as Jacksonville. Through the $22 million Mississippi River Delta Initiative, Wahl’s team is exploring tools that could be adapted to help Florida’s vulnerable regions.
Wahl emphasizes the importance of localized solutions and resource availability when addressing flood risks. From engineering wetland and oyster reefs to urban investments in water-pumping systems, the range of strategies varies significantly based on regional characteristics.
“It really depends on what type of event you are preparing for and what economic resources you have at your disposal to implement those solutions,” Wahl added. “We have a lot from gray to green to hybrid infrastructure that can be done, but it’s really very localized.”
As Wahl continues to push the boundaries of flood modeling, advancements in technology are proving crucial.
“It’s the same with the machine learning. I think it’s really the computational resources that have improved and opened doors that we didn’t think would open so quickly,” he added.
Wahl’s pioneering research offers hope, showcasing how innovative technology and scientific dedication can transform our ability to safeguard coastal communities against the ever-growing threat of flooding.