Using Infrared Satellite Image Processing to Rapidly Estimate Coastal Flooding Induced by Tropical Cyclones

This paper is presented specifically for the application of image processing using satellites. In 2005, two major hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, devastated coastal Louisiana and Mississippi, USA. From the viewpoints of emergency preparedness and disaster management, rapid estimations of storm surges and massive coastal flooding were needed for evacuation purposes. A modified analytical storm surge formula to predict maximum surge was tested successfully for both hurricanes. However, this method needs to be extended to include areas away from the radius of maximum wind. It is demonstrated that this can be accomplished by using infrared satellite image processing.  Potential application of this methodology to the Pearl River Delta region in Southern China and adjacent areas is proposed.