Analysing coastal flood risk: assessing the impact on critical water infrastructures

Abstract

There is a need to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructures. The effects of climate change have already led to increased flooding of critical water infrastructure. Furthermore, predictions indicate that more infrastructures will be affected in the future. Currently, methods for accurately quantifying the economic losses resulting from sea level rise and extreme weather events are lacking. This article proposes a risk assessment methodology for coastal flooding in the Galicia region of Spain. The method estimates the losses incurred by water infrastructure and indirect industry losses due to the interruption of water infrastructure services. The results indicate that losses currently exceed 90 million euros due to extreme weather events. In the most pessimistic scenario, these losses increase to 127 million euros in 2050 and 451 million euros in 2100. In both cases, indirect industry losses account for more than 80% of the total losses.