Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), NSF NHERI 2024: Data-Enabled Validation of Regional Hurricane Damage Models with Variance-Based Sensitivity Analysis: A Case Study of Hurricane Ian

This project examined the impact of multiple hurricane damage factors and replicated damage observations using advanced prediction models established in the literature. This was achieved with data-driven validation and variance-based sensitivity analysis workflows using historical data from Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida. By analyzing the wind, flood, and wave-induced damage models as well as software tools, this work lowers the uncertainty level of models and simulations by pinpointing the importance of their inputs. The intended audience includes those interested in hurricane simulations, data collection, and natural hazards mitigation.