1. U N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H F L O R I D AU N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H F L O R I D A
The High Resolution Storm Surge Model for
the Norton Sound & Yukon Kuskokwim Delta
Dr. Eranna Guruvadoo, Dr. Kenrick Mock, Dr. Tom Ravens, and Jon S. Allen
University of Alaska Anchorage – Anchorage, AK 99508
Abstract
Coastal communities along the west of Alaska
depend on Arctic sea ice to protect them from storms
that occur in the Bering and Chukchi Seas between
August and December. The ice from these seas
provides a protective barrier to storm surges.
Decreasing Arctic sea ice and warm temperatures
have caused delays in freezing of Bering and Chukchi
Seas, which takes away from the protective barrier. As
a result, coastal communities are experiencing
hurricane-strength conditions due to wave conditions
and storm surges. And, the need for an accurate
forecasting model is vital for public safety, as these
communities lack transportation infrastructure for rapid
evacuations.
Future Work
We plan to return to the Arctic Domain
Awareness Center, in the upcoming summer,
to continue to make contributions to this
research project.
Acknowledgments
We thank The Arctic Domain Awareness Center
at the University of Alaska Anchorage and the
Department of Homeland Security.
Forecasting Model:
Model Flow Chart
Water Level Generated by Forecasting Model
Input Files
Table 2. Delft3D-Flow input files
Description Filename File extension
Bathymetry NortonSound_tri_v6 .dep
Boundary– Fixed in the model domain norton .bnd
Boundary condition – Time-varying water levela
nome_apoon .bct
Fine grid NortonSound_v4 .grd
Fine grid enclosure NortonSound_v4 .enc
Flow input file NortonDelta .mdf
Observation pointsa
norton .obs