Grenada Storm Surge Analysis

Start Date: 2001

A very high quality resort facility was proposed for development on the southern coast of Grenada at Hog Island. As part of a proactive environmental protection assessment, it was recognized that design criteria for oceanic generated storm surge was lacking. Coastal Engineering Consultants, Inc. was contracted to forecast storm surges that might occur at the resort facility complex. The purpose of the study was to develop storm statistics and predict storm surge probabilities for Grenada. Data for tropical storms and hurricanes that have come within a 120 nautical mile radius of Grenada between 1871 and 2001 were analyzed to determine the design storm parameters. The climatological forecast necessitated the determination of total storm surge including the effects of wind stress, barometric pressure, dynamic wave set-up, astronomical tide and breaking waves. Using the design storm parameters estimates of total storm surge for return periods of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 years were developed through numerical modeling. An expanded geographical review of historical storm data was conducted to obtain and characterize hurricane wave data. This data, when subjected to the storm surge analysis, enabled determination of storm wave parameters to be used in the wave transformation modeling. The results of the storm surge value predictions were applied to evaluate the sensitivity of the proposed development with respect to surge elevations to enable proper planning and siting for the protection and quality of the residential and resort facilities. The recommended elevations factored into account the beach shoreline characteristics including sediments, armoring, vegetation, orientation and exposure.

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