Spatially compounded surge events: an example from hurricanes Matthew and Florence

Abstract. The simultaneous rise of tropical-cyclone-induced flood waters across a large hazard management domain can stretch rescue and recovery efforts. Here we present means to quantify the connectedness maximum surge during storm with geospatial statistics. Tide gauges throughout extensive estuaries barrier islands North Carolina deployed operating hurricanes Matthew (n=82) Florence (n=123) are used compare spatial compounding for these two disasters. Moran's I showed occurrence tide was more clustered compared Florence, semivariogram analysis produced range similarly timed that 4 times as than Florence. A limited data set fluvial flooding precipitation in eastern consistent result – multivariate sources associated were concentrated time Although equally intense, they had very different tracks speeds which influenced timing along coast.