Understanding risk to enhance community safety
From 14 to 17 October, a team from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s (SPC) Geoscience and Applied Technology
Division (SOPAC) will be visiting French Polynesia. They will report on the results of a series of studies designed to
reduce the risk of storm surge in the Tuamotu Islands, a strategic area for pearl culture, tourism and environmental
conservation.
This project was implemented over a two-year period and is now entering its final phase. Its objective was to define
with more accuracy the impact of storm surge in coastal areas in order to enhance community safety.
Based on proven scientific techniques, four studies were conducted to determine the risk of flooding during an extreme
tropical cyclone. Flood hazard was assessed using bathymetric, oceanographic and topographic data collected in strategic
areas of the Tuamotu Islands. These data were used to produce a bathymetric chart of Rangiroa, the largest atoll in
French Polynesia, detailing the depth of the lagoon and channels. SPC experts also produced inundation maps by modelling
storm surge in a number of key areas.
To complement the scientific studies, an economic analysis was carried out to propose cost-effective adaptation
solutions to the French Polynesia Government in order to enhance community safety.
This European Union-funded project has made it possible to put forward a series of recommendations for the French
Polynesia Government to consider as part of its efforts to protect communities and infrastructure from the risk of
natural disasters.
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