Recommended Practice: Use of Digital Elevation Data for Storm Surge Coastal Flood Modelling

Storm surges and tidal waves are global phenomena that considerably affect human populations in coastal and island regions. According to the Guide to Storm Surge Forecasting published by the World Meteorological Organization in 2011, storm surges can be defined as ‘oscillations of the water level in a coastal or inland body of water in the time range of a few minutes to a few days, resulting from forcing from atmospheric weather systems. According to this definition, the so-called wind waves, which have durations on the order of several seconds, are excluded’. Storm surges are a coastal phenomenon triggered by strong winds in the oceans and seas due to tropical cyclones and other similar weather systems at sea.

In the past tsunami modelling, sea-level rise studies, and storm surge hazard mapping have been done using deterministic and probabilistic models. However, deterministic models require precise oceanographic data, as well as data on bathymetry in the coast, coastal geometry, high-resolution digital elevation models in the coastal area, and ancillary data on surface roughness in coastal areas. In many developing countries these data sets are not easily accessible or available.

In Detail
Step-by-Step
AIRBUS Defence and Space
ZFL
QGIS

This Recommended Practice allows users to visualize the geographical extent of coastal flooding or sea level rise on a local, regional, or global scale (depending on the resolution and accuracy of the incoming digital elevation model). It can be used exclusively as a first approximation to determine areas that are prone to inundation and can serve as a first assessment for further, more in-depth analysis of coastal flood and sea level rise assessment.

This version of the Recommended Practice is a revision (2024) of the original storm surge RP using the openly accessible and free Copernicus Digital Elevation Model with a resolution of 30 meters. The original version of the RP makes use of the commercial high-resolution (12 m) World Digital Elevation Model (WorldDEMTM) product of Airbus Defence and Space. However, both versions can be used with both datasets, Cop DEM and WorldDEM, but the examples / case studies differ.

For the sake of clarity - the Recommended Practice has not been developed for any other use and purpose than the above described one and is consequently not usable for and in navigation, any hazardous environment requiring error free performance.

Preparedness
Flood
Severe Storm
Larger Accra region, Ghana

The coastal region of Ghana was heavily affected by tidal waves in June 2017. Many people have been displaced and houses, infrastructure and fishing gear (boats, nets) destroyed. This Recommended Practice can be a first assessment to apply further analysis to identify safer ground for relocation of exposed communities. For more information please refer to this link provided by the National Disaster Management Organization of Ghana (NADMO).

ZFL / University of Bonn contact:

For any questions related to the revision of the Recommended Practice and the usage of the COP30 DEM, feel free to get in touch with the author or spokesperson at ZFL:

Josi Bregulla

josi.bregulla [at] uni-bonn.de    

Michael Schmidt

michaelschmidt [at] uni-bonn.de

Airbus contact:

For any questions related to Airbus disaster management applications using Earth Observation technology or WorldDEMTM product, feel free to get in touch with the original authors:

Ciro Farinelli

Future SAR Programs Manager, Airbus Defence and Space / Intelligence

ciro.farinelli [at] airbus.com

Virginia Herrera-Cruz

Application Developer, Airbus Defence and Space / Intelligence

Virginia.herrera [at] airbus.com

The model can be applied to any coastal region of the world because open-access data was used.

June Webinar: Tackling Barriers to the Use of Earth Data in Flood and Drought Response

This is event is available for participation on an ongoing basis
Webinar

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Earth Observation NASA
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06/18/2025, 12:00am
Visible

EOTEC DevNet, GEO Knowledge Hub, UNOOSA/UN-SPIDER

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Wuhan University (WHU)

China
Asia
China
China
Regional Support Offices UN-SPIDER
Regional Support Office
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Wuhan University (WHU) stands as a global leader in remote sensing science and technology. Since 2017, its remote sensing discipline has consistently ranked No. 1 in the world according to the Shanghai Ranking (ARWU), a testament to its academic excellence and research prowess. The university hosts a multidisciplinary team of over 100 experts specializing in forest, agricultural, urban, and geological remote sensing, driving innovation across diverse sectors. Since 2015, WHU has successfully designed and deployed six remote sensing satellites, encompassing both optical and radar imaging technologies. This achievement underscores its commitment to advancing space-based observation capabilities. In 2024, Prof. Deren Li—a distinguished authority in the field—was awarded China’s highest scientific honor, the National Top Science and Technology Prize, for his pivotal contributions to the development of high-resolution satellite systems.

On 22 April 2025, WHU further solidified its global leadership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to establish the China Regional Support Office (RSO) of the UN Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER). Leveraging WHU’s cutting-edge satellite constellation and remote sensing expertise, the RSO will actively support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Global Development Initiative (GDI). Through this partnership, WHU aims to enhance international collaboration in space-based solutions for disaster resilience, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development worldwide.

Fields:

  • Disaster rapid mapping
  • Night-time light imagery analysis
  • High resolution imagery interpretation
  • SAR imagery analysis
  • Remote sensing of economy

Experts: 

  • Prof. Deren Li, LIESMARS, Wuhan University
  • Prof. Xi Li, LIESMARS, Wuhan University
  • Prof. Mian Yang, Economics and Management School, Wuhan University
  • Prof. Ailong Ma, LIESMARS, Wuhan University

Currently, the China Regional Support Office (China RSO) can provide remote sensing imagery from the Luojia-4 Satellite and Qimingxing Satellite. The Luojia-4 Satellite offers 20-meter resolution hyperspectral imagery and night-time light data, while the Qimingxing Satellite provides 20-meter resolution hyperspectral imagery. These data can support detailed observations in fields such as environmental monitoring, disaster risk assessment, and urban sustainable development planning.

The China Regional Support Office (RSO) possesses a robust portfolio of training resources in remote sensing and its applications for disaster risk reduction. Since 2011, the International GeoInformatics Summer School (IGSS) has been hosted by the State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing (LIESMARS) at Wuhan University. Held annually each July, IGSS delivers a one-week intensive program comprising theoretical and hands-on courses in Geoinformatics, attracting over 100 participants worldwide each year.

In addition to IGSS, the RSO can leverage other institutional resources, such as the foreign aid training programs organized by Wuhan University on behalf of China’s Ministry of Commerce. These programs have a proven track record in delivering high-quality capacity-building initiatives. Building on Wuhan University’s extensive training expertise, the RSO is well-positioned to design tailored training curricula specifically aimed at cultivating remote sensing professionals in disaster reduction. These courses will integrate cutting-edge technologies and global best practices to address the urgent needs of disaster management in the region and beyond.

Dr. Xi Li
Professor, State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing , Wuhan University

Deputy Director, Office of International Affairs, Wuhan University
Research team Webpage: http://nightlight.whu.edu.cn/en 

Head, China Regional Support Office, UN-SPIDER

Lead of GEO Initiative - GEO Night Light, Group on Earth Observations

E-mail: li_rs [at] 163.com (li_rs[at]163[dot]com), lixi [at] whu.edu.cn (lixi[at]whu[dot]edu[dot]cn)  

Address:

Room 403A, Xinghu Building, Wuhan University, 129 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, China

Living Planet Symposium Tutorial: Using UN-SPIDER Recommended Practices and Digital Twin for Effective Flood Hazard Depiction

This is event is available for participation on an ongoing basis
Living Planet Symposium (c) esa

Mapping for Disaster Risk Management: Using UN-SPIDER Recommended Practices and Digital Twin for Effective Flood Hazard Depiction

Effective flood mapping and modeling are crucial for disaster risk management, enabling authorities and communities to better prepare for and respond to extreme weather events. The SPEAR Project, by the Center for Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces (ZFL) at the University of Bonn and UN-SPIDER, works to support disaster risk management activities through innovative Earth Observation methods, with a regional focus on the African continent.

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esa
Living Planet Symposium
ZFL
Disaster Floods
No certificate issued or not known
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06/23/2025, 12:00am
Visible
Mon, 23 Jun 2025, 9 - 10:20 am CEST in Room 1.61/1.62, Austria Center, Bruno-Kreisky-Platz 1, 1220 Vienna
Vienna
Austria

European Space Agency

Session hosts: The Center for Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces (Zentrum für Fernerkundung der Landoberfläche - ZFL), UN-SPIDER

Wuhan University Joins UN-SPIDER Network to Advance Space-Based Disaster Management

UNOOSA Logo

UN-SPIDER Expands Global Network with New Regional Support Office in China
 

On 22 April, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), through the UN-SPIDER programme, officially established a new Regional Support Office (RSO) at Wuhan University in China. This milestone was marked by the signing of a cooperation memorandum between UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini and the President of Wuhan University, Zhang Pingwen.

China

ESA launches biomass satellite to track forest carbon

BIomass separates from Vega-C, (c) esa

The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched its flagship Biomass satellite on 29 April 2025 at 06:15 local time (11:15 CEST) from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, aboard a Vega-C rocket. Developed by Airbus Defence and Space, the satellite separated from the launch vehicle under an hour after liftoff. Shortly thereafter, ESA's operations center in Germany received the first signal from Biomass, transmitted via a ground station in Antarctica, confirming its healthy status in orbit.

South America

UNOOSA attends the Inauguration of the African Space Agency

AfSA Headquarters, (c) AfSA, esa

African Space Agency is now operational

Africa achieved a historic breakthrough in its space ambitions on April 20, 2025, with the formal launch of the African Space Agency (AfSA) at its new permanent headquarters in Cairo’s Space City, Egypt. This milestone event concludes nearly ten years of careful planning and collaboration, which began in January 2016 when the African Union Assembly endorsed the African Space Policy and Strategy at its Twenty-Sixth Ordinary Session, creating the foundation for a continent-wide space initiative.

Northern Africa

Myanmar Earthquake: UN-SPIDER's Disaster Response

Regional Seismicity and seismic intensities from 28 March 25, M 7.7 Myanmar

Disaster Overview

The March 28, 2025, M7.7 earthquake near Mandalay, Burma (Myanmar), occurred as the result of strike-slip faulting between the India and Eurasia plates. Focal mechanism solutions indicate that slip occurred on either a north-striking, steeply-dipping, right-lateral fault or a west-striking, steeply-dipping, left-lateral fault. The finite fault solution indicates a north-striking right-lateral fault.

Myanmar

Living Planet Symposium 2025: From Earth Observation to Climate Action and Sustainability

This is event is available for participation on an ongoing basis
Living Planet Symposium (c) esa

Held every three years, the European Space Agency's (ESA) Living Planet Symposia are among the world’s leading events on Earth observation. The upcoming Living Planet Symposium 2025 (LPS25) will focus on the urgent need to transition from observation to climate action and sustainability in light of the growing climate crisis.

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esa
European Space Agency (ESA)
Living Planet Symposium
climate
global sustainability
Vienna
No certificate issued or not known
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06/23/2025, 12:00am - 06/27/2025, 12:00am
Visible
Austria Center, Bruno-Kreisky-Platz 1, 1220 Vienna
Vienna
Austria

European Space Agency

https://lps25.esa.int/
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