5.3 Coastal Management - Forecasting, Prevention & Coastal Strategies

What is coastal flood prevention?

Actions that reduce or remove the risk of flooding before it happens.

What are flood defences?

Structures built along high-risk coasts to prevent flooding.

What is the purpose of emergency centres?

Centrally located on higher ground so people can be safe during floods.

How do early warning systems help?

Allow preparation or evacuation before flooding occurs.

How do education and planning prevent flooding damage?

• Educate locals on what to do during floods

• Plan new developments away from high-risk areas

• Design buildings to cope with flooding (dry/wet floodproofing, raised buildings, stronger barriers)

What are buffer zones?

Areas allowed to flood before settlements, slowing water and dissipating surge energy.

→ Note: May require moving people; controversial.

What is the role of coastal cells in management?

Divide coast into manageable sections to identify risks:

• Erosion & land retreat

• Flooding
  Helps allocate resources efficiently and calculate cost-benefit.

What are SMPs (Shoreline Management Plans)?

Plans that outline strategies to prevent erosion & flooding, protecting people, land, and habitats.

What is “Hold the Line”?

• pros

• cons

Maintain current shoreline using mainly hard engineering.

• Pros: Long-term protection

• Cons: Most costly

What is “Advance the Line”?

Build new defences to extend shoreline.

Uses hard + soft engineering; involves land reclamation.

What is “Managed Realignment”?

Allow coastline to move naturally, monitoring processes.

Mostly soft engineering; creates natural habitats; more sustainable.

What is “Do Nothing”?

No defences; coast erodes and retreats naturally.

→ Cheapest but controversial; may impact communities.

What factors determine which SMP (Shoreline Management Plans) approach to use?

• Economic value of resources (land, homes)

• Engineering feasibility (unstable landforms)

• Cultural/ecological value (historic sites, biodiversity)

• Community pressure & social value