Effects of the Gloria storm on the coast

Abstract

The storm Gloria affected the Catalan coast between January 19th and 23rd, 2020. This work characterizes the wave climate and the morphodynamic conditions prior to the storm, and then presents a compilation of the most notable impacts. These consisted of beach erosion, damage to port defense structures, damage to seafront promenades, and the flooding of urban areas located on the front line, among others. Finally, the lessons learned from the storm are presented, consisting of the need to move forward with a change in the coastal management model. It is proposed to incorporate the recommendations of international organizations, based on the principles of ecosystem management, which is emerging as the dominant paradigm in the management of natural resources and the environment, which should allow transit from a highly artificial coast to a more natural, less vulnerable and more resilient coastline.

Keywords: coast, beaches, dunes, Catalan coast, storm Gloria.