Development of a Coastal Flood Warning System for Loch Linnhe, Scotland

Coastal flooding presents a significant threat to communities positioned adjacent to estuaries, lochs and the open coastline. The Firth of Lorne extending to Loch Linnhe is one such location, situated in western Scotland. The shape and orientation of the Loch funnels storm surges into an ever decreasing volume of space, amplifying the magnitude of the surge. In January 2005 a large storm event created a surge over 2 metres above the prevailing tide level in Upper Loch Linnhe. The surge caused damage to local infrastructure, businesses and homes in Fort William, Caol and Corpach, and additional widespread damage and the loss of life in western Scotland. Following this event, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and JBA Consulting are developing a new flood forecasting system for the Firth of Lorne and Loch Linnhe.