Introduction

The vulnerability assessment methodology on this CD-ROM focuses on defining high-risk areas and on identifying critical resources most at risk. Once high-risk areas are identified, more detailed risk analyses can be performed on these smaller areas. Although it may not be feasible to collect or use large data sets for an entire community, it may be possible to obtain detailed data for specific high-risk sites identified through the vulnerability assessment process.

In New Hanover County, for example, the coastal zone was identified as the highest-risk area for multiple hazard threats, but high-resolution topographic data for analysis of coastal vulnerability is often unavailable. An ongoing research project along the North Carolina coastline, however, is providing the opportunity to develop and use such data. The project involves the use of aircraft-based remote sensing technology for beach mapping. This section describes the use of this technology for collecting, displaying, and analyzing high-resolution topographic data in the high hazard-risk coastal zone.