Journal of Natural Disaster Science

STORM SURGE FLOODING IN CITIES IN THE OSAKA BAY AREA

Hajime NAKAGAWA
Associate Professor, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University
Kazuya INOUE
Professor, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University
Kazuhito SHIMAMOTO
Ministry of Construction
and
Tetsuhiko UETSUKA
Professor, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University

(Received 14 July, 1995 and in revised form 8 December, 1995)

Abstract

A numerical simulation model for the simultaneous analysis of storm surges and their inundation of a protected low-lying area is presented. After the model was checked, the effectiveness of current measures taken against storm surges in Osaka Bay was estimated for a "designed typhoon". "The worst course" for a typhoon in the Osaka Bay area, the approximately 30 km western course of the Muroto Typhoon, was examined. Effects of the typhoon's speed on the extent of the area inundated also were investigated. When a typhoon takes the above course, the areas flooded increase with the increase in its speed. Zones at risk of storm surge flooding after a sea-level rise due to the green house effect also were predicted with this simulation model.

Key words

storm surge, flooding, typhoon, Osaka Bay area, sea-level rise