InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society > Student Materials > Module 11: Tsunami and storm surge policy > Policy, natural hazards, disasters, and the emergency management cycle > UNIVERSITY PARK ONLY: Formative Assessment: Analyzing a storm surge risk map
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Initial Publication Date: December 8, 2016

UNIVERSITY PARK ONLY: Formative Assessment: Analyzing a storm surge risk map

Instructions

One component of preparedness is understanding physical aspects of vulnerability to storm surge. Let us explore the existing physical vulnerability data – in this case, storm surge data – for Sarasota County and do some analyses with them. Sarasota County government has developed an interactive map to help residents understand the local risk of storm surge.

Click on the interactive map link. You should see a webpage that looks like this:

You can see the interactive map on the right, and you can also search an address in the top-right corner of the map. In the right column, you can see three labels: map legends, direction tools, and routing tools. Map legends show the different legends of evacuation zones, evacuation routes, hospitals, and shelters. Direction tools and routing tools help you plan evacuation routes. Let us focus on the evacuation zone.

In order to help people understand their risk, the different risk zones are translated into different evacuation zones based on the potential heights of storm surge. Below is the translation between the risk zones and evacuation levels:

Evacuation Zones with Corresponding Storm Surge Heights
Evacuation ZonesStorm surge heights needed to cover this zone (in feet above sea level)
Zone AUp to 7 feet
Zone BUp to 15 feet
Zone CUp to 26 feet
Zone DUp to 33 feet
Zone EUp to 35 feet

Bear in mind that the evacuation zones are not the same as the hurricane category. There are many factors that influence the relationship between hurricane category and storm surge heights, so we need to keep in mind that a strong hurricane might generate little storm surge, whereas a weak hurricane might generate a huge storm surge.

Files

Download Worksheet (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 88kB Sep7 16)

Submitting Your Assessment

Submit your worksheet in class.


These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »