Coastal communities across the Caribbean are facing growing flood risks as more people, homes, and infrastructure are concentrated along low-lying shorelines. Rising sea levels, stronger storms, and changing rainfall patterns are increasing the frequency and severity of flooding, particularly in SIDS, where communities are often highly exposed and resources for recovery are limited.
LuMCoF will improve how coastal flood risks are understood, predicted, and managed across selected Caribbean locations. By combining existing environmental data with advanced modelling and data analysis techniques, the research will provide clearer insight into why flooding happens, where the greatest risks exist, and how those risks may change in the future.
The project will collate information on storms, tides, waves, rainfall, river flows, and coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs and then identify the main factors that contribute to flooding and simulate major flood events under different future climate and development scenarios.
A key focus of the project is understanding the role that natural coastal ecosystems play in reducing flood impacts. Healthy ecosystems can act as natural barriers, helping to absorb wave energy and limit flooding. By testing different future ecosystem conditions, the project will explore how nature-based solutions can support more resilient coastal development.
The research will also develop tools to estimate the likelihood of future flooding under a range of environmental and climate conditions. These findings will help governments, planners, and local communities make better-informed decisions about coastal development, disaster preparedness, and climate adaptation.
Ultimately, the project seeks to support safer, more sustainable, and more resilient coastal communities across the Caribbean.
