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- H13L-1221: How Storm Types Shape Rainfall: A Watershed-Scale Analysis of Dam Overtopping Events in the Eastern U.S.
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Board 1221‚ Hall EFG (Poster Hall)NOLA CC
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Hodo Orok, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (First Author, Presenting Author)
Deanna Hence, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Carolina Bieri, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Dam overtopping happens when heavy rainfall overwhelms a dam’s capacity to hold back water, and it is a growing risk in many parts of the Eastern U.S. This study examines over 300 of these events from the past two decades to better understand the storm types that cause them. Each storm was first categorized into one of four storm types—tropical cyclones, frontal systems, extratropical cyclones, and tropical–frontal hybrids—using objective analysis of storm tracks and weather features. To better understand how these storm types vary in structure and behavior across different regions, we used pattern-recognition tools called self-organizing maps (SOM) and K-means clustering on atmospheric data from the days leading up to each event. We then linked these atmospheric patterns to rainfall observations and watershed maps to study how storm structure, terrain, and rainfall interact. The goal is to see where rain falls most heavily, how the shape of the land influences runoff, and which storm types pose the most risk to specific watersheds. This research helps improve early warning systems, flood risk planning, and dam safety strategies–making communities more prepared and resilient in the face of severe weather.
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