NUMERICAL COMPUTATIONS OF STORM SURGES WITHOUT BOTTOM STRESS

Abstract

A numerical storm surge model, using the linearized form of the transport equations, is used to compute surges in a rectangular basin of variable depth and with three open water boundaries. The computed surges are sensitive to the initial placements of model tropical storms that are stationary, very slow moving, or moving parallel to the coast at any speed. These storms generate shelf seiches and a type of resurgent edge wave of significant amplitude. On the other hand, the computed surges are almost insensitive to initial placement of moderate and fast-moving storms. The numerical model is used to construct a prototype prediction system in the form of polar graphs which give coastal surge magnitude and dispersion against storm strength and speed and direction of motion.