Flooding simulation due to Hurricane Florence in North Carolina with HEC RAS

Abstract

Flooding due to Hurricane Florence led to billions of dollars in damage and nearly a hundred deaths in North Carolina. These damages and fatalities can be avoided with proper prevention and preparation. Modelling such flooding events can provide insight and precaution based on principles of fluid dynamics and GIS technology. Using topography and other geographic data from USGS, HEC-RAS can solve the Shallow Water Equations over flooding areas to assist the study of inundation patterns. Simulation results from HEC-RAS agree with observations from NOAA in the flooding area studied. Modeled results from specific locations affected by Hurricane Florence near Neuse River, NC are compared with observations. While overall pattern of inundation is agreeable between model results and observations, there are also differences at very specific locations. Higher resolution topography data and precipitation data over the flooding area may improve the simulation result and reduce the differences.