The climate research being conducted at Stony Brook University is shaping the future of Long Island's coastal communities. Faced with severe storms, rising sea levels, and extreme weather threats, Stony Brook scientists and engineers are developing strategies to ensure community preparedness. Their work includes advanced storm tracking, visualization technology, and innovations in infrastructure.
Arie Kaufman, a distinguished professor in the Department of Computer Science and chief scientist at the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology, is leading a groundbreaking storm simulation and visualization project. "My primary expertise is in visualization, virtual reality, and machine learning," Kaufman explained. "We use our Reality Deck for visualizing storm surge in extreme weather situations."
This technology is aiding emergency managers and city officials in anticipating storm impacts. "We’ve collaborated with the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS), NOAA, the National Weather Service, and even the mayor’s office in New York City," Kaufman said.
Stony Brook researchers have extended this work to Long Island, led by Professor Brian Colle from SoMAS, to understand potential impacts of storms like Superstorm Sandy. The region's vulnerability is a focus, as Donovan Finn, an urban planner and associate professor in SoMAS, explains: "Communities on Long Island face challenges in becoming more resilient to and recovering from environmental hazards."
Finn emphasizes resilience: "It’s the people, it’s the infrastructure, it’s the land use, it’s the transportation, it’s economic base, it’s the public policy, it’s leadership — it’s, you know, it’s everything."
Kaufman underscores the value of combining historical data with climate modeling to anticipate storm behavior. "We’ve incorporated wave synthesis, road networks, evacuation centers, and other critical infrastructure into our models," he explained. Vulnerability varies across the region, with low-lying coastal towns at high risk.
Gary Halada, an associate professor in the Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, stressed innovation in infrastructure: "We need to think about not just repairing after storms, but rebuilding in a way that makes our infrastructure more resilient."
Nature-based solutions, such as living shorelines, are a major focus of Stony Brook's research. "We’ve seen great success with these approaches in pilot projects around Long Island," Halada said. Retrofitting existing structures in coastal areas is also being explored for greater resilience against climate challenges.
Stony Brook scientists are working with Suffolk and Nassau County officials to improve flood zone mapping. "Having access to high-resolution storm models allows policymakers to make more informed decisions," Kaufman noted.
Finn sees shifts in real estate trends in high-risk areas. Some regions may become exclusive enclaves due to increasing uninsurability. Resilient systems need to "bend but not break," Finn said, requiring physical and social cohesion.
"The reality is, we are going to see more storms like Superstorm Sandy," Kaufman warned. Through prediction, engineering, and policy, the damage to communities can be mitigated.
— Beth Squire