How High is High Enough? — The Art of Assessing Extreme Conditions for Effective Coastal Management

Introduction

Flooding is caused by extremes in rainfall, river flow, tides or waves (or a combination

thereof) which, when they overwhelm flood risk and coastal systems, can lead to severe

impacts on people and the environment. Up-to-date and accurate information and statistical

methods for assessing these extreme conditions form an essential building block for

successful and effective flood risk and coastal management. They help determine which areas

are at risk from flooding and influence the required standard of new flood and coastal erosion

defences. A consistency in approach to deriving boundary conditions also promotes a level

playing field in terms of appraising and allocating funding for schemes nationwide.