M4

 




For this project, I conducted a geospatial analysis of coastal flooding and storm surge impacts using LiDAR and USGS DEM datasets. The study focused on the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, particularly in Mantoloking, NJ, and Collier County, FL. Using ArcGIS Pro, I processed pre- and post-storm LiDAR to detect elevation changes and map erosion. I also analyzed storm surge impacts using reclassified DEMs to identify affected buildings. One major takeaway was the stark difference in flood predictions between high-resolution LiDAR data and traditional USGS DEMs, highlighting substantial errors of omission and commission when using lower-quality datasets. I learned how DEM resolution and assumptions about storm surge height can significantly affect spatial analysis outcomes. Challenges included aligning datasets collected years apart, accounting for reconstructed areas, and simplifying assumptions like uniform surge height, which limit real-world accuracy. Nonetheless, this study emphasized the importance of precise elevation data in disaster response, insurance assessment, and urban planning.

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