Warning water level determination and its spatial distribution in coastal areas of China

Abstract. The warning water level is the default at which storm surges may occur along a coast and indicates stage of alert. This forms basis for storm-surge forecasting, prewarning an important reference governments aids in decision-making process prevention disaster risk mitigation. has four categories (blue, yellow, orange, red) based on observational data. Taking into account actual defense capability shore, we determined by comprehensively analyzing factors, including high typical return period each shore section, wave exposure degree protection facilities, shore-section importance level. Here, proposed quantitative method determining level, application this was introduced section Zhifu District (Yantai City, Shandong Province, China) as example. We analyzed spatial distribution characteristics levels 259 sections revealed their current marine capabilities. Our findings provide valid direction future reliable scientific redetermining coastal areas while improving