Introduction

Introduction to SFINCS

What is SFINCS?

SFINCS (Super-Fast Inundation of CoastS) is a reduced-complexity model capable of simulating compound flooding with a high computational efficiency balanced with an adequate accuracy. In SFINCS a set of momentum and continuity equations are solved with a first order explicit scheme based on Bates et al. (2010). Traditionally SFINCS neglects the advection term (SFINCS-LIE) which generally justified for sub-critical flow conditions. For super-critical flow conditions or when modelling waves, the advection term needs to be solved. For this purpose, the SFINCS-SSWE version can be used (including advection). For more information see Leijnse et al. (2020): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2020.103796

Why SFINCS?

Compound flooding during tropical cyclones and other extreme events result in tremendous amounts of property damage and loss of life. Early warning systems and multi-hazard risk analysis can reduce these impacts. However, large numbers of computations need to be run in a probabilistic approach and in a short time due to uncertainties in the meteorological forcing. Current modelling approaches are either fast but too simple (bathtub approach) or models are very accurate but too slow (e.g. Delft3D, XBeach). SFINCS balances a high computational efficiency with adequate accuracy. Therefore the model is very appropriate to either to model a large stochastic set of scenarios, run the same model on a higher resolution or model larger scales. Thereby, one can use it as a quickscan tool to quickly test possible adaptation and mitigation measures to flooding. The scope of the model is therefore different than other models in Deltares’ modelling suite. When very high-detailed simulations are needed with a lot of detailed features (or including morphology, salinity etc.), one can use the Delft3D FM Suite, see: https://www.deltares.nl/en/software/delft3d-flexible-mesh-suite/

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Fig. 1 The goal of SFINCS: speed! (Icon made by https://www.flaticon.com/authors/vectors-market)

Compound flooding?

Compound flooding is described as events occurring in coastal areas where the interaction of high sea levels, large river discharges and local precipitation causes (extreme) flooding (Wahl et al., 2015). To simulate compound flooding events, a model needs to be able to model all these types of forcings. Therefore, SFINCS includes fluvial, pluvial, tidal, wind- and wave-driven processes!

Application areas

Coastal model

A SFINCS model in coastal regions can be forced with marine forcings like tides, storm surge, local wind setup and wave driven processes. Generally a model is setup with the offshore boundary in the swash zone, good practice is in about 2 meters water depth. In SFINCS it is possible to distinguish cells that are made inactive in the computation so it will not slow your model down (in this case everywhere deeper than 2m water depth). In some cases local rainfall might be relevant too for a coastal model.

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Fig. 2 SFINCS model for Sao Tome en Principe, figure from: https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-20-2397-2020

Coral reef model

SFINCS models have also been setup in coral reef type environments, where individual waves are forced to compute wave-driven flooding. This generally has a large contribution to flooding for Small Island Developping States (SIDS) or other coasts/islands with coral reef type coasts.

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Fig. 3 SFINCS model for Majuro.

Tsunami model

As an additional type of coastal model, SFINCS has also been used for modelling tsunami’s. Generally this would be an overland model forced with a tsunami wave as computed by an offshore hydrodynamic model. However, in the paper of Robke et al. 2021 SFINCS was also used for the first time to calculate the offshore propagation in a very short amount of time too. Get in touch to hear more about possibilities for tsunami modelling with SFINCS.

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Fig. 4 Overland and offshore SFINCS models modelling the 2011 Tohoku tsunami near Japan, figure from: https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9050453

Storm surge model

Since speed is wanted everywhere, also tests have been done to let SFINCS model offshore storm surge during tropical cyclones. Get in touch to hear more about possibilities for storm surge modelling with SFINCS.

Riverine model

For inland riverine types of environments, boundary conditions are generally different than for coastal models. Generally at the upstream end of rivers, one can provide discharge points with discharge time-series. At the downstream end of rivers, water level time-series need to be specified, which in case of sub-critical flow conditions will influence the flow upstream. Additionaly, besides the general river discharge, local rainfall adding water to the river can be very relevant too.

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Fig. 5 SFINCS model for Vientiane, Laos.

Urban model

For urban environments the local situation of varying land use conditions can heavily influence the local flow. Therefore spatially varying input of manning roughness and infiltration is possible. The curve number method of infiltration will distinguish what part of falling precipitation can infiltrate or will run-off. To test out the effect of interventions, it is possible to insert different types of structures into the SFINCS model. These can be thin dams, levees, sea walls, simple drainage pumps or culverts.

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Fig. 6 SFINCS model for Houston, TX, during Hurricane Harvey (2017)

Flash flood model

In recent tests, SFINCS has also been used to model flash floods. In these events, a short but intense rainfall event falls onto a domain and together with a steep profile can lead to significant water depths and flow velocities. Get in touch to hear more about possibilities for fast flash-flood modelling with SFINCS.

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Fig. 7 SFINCS model for Izmir, Turkey

Compound flooding model

In a compound flooding model, all relevant types of forcing from either coastal, coral, riverine or urban models can be combined into 1 domain. Hereby the joint effect of multiple flood drivers that can enhance flooding can be taken into account.

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Fig. 8 SFINCS model for Jacksonville, FL, during Hurricane Irma (2017), figure from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2020.103796

Applied international projects

SFINCS has been applied in these international projects, with attached links to news articles:

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Fig. 9 Overview of countries globally where SFINCS has been used, including all SIDS

SFINCS has been applied (or still is) in multiple other international projects:

  • Modelling compound flooding for the islands of Sao Tome en Principe

  • Modelling tropical cyclone and sea level rise driven flooding in polders of Bangladesh

  • Modelling compound flooding at Monrovia, Liberia

  • Modelling sea level rise driven flooding at all the islands of the Marshall Islands

  • Modelling wave and groundwater -driven flooding across the Puget Sound, US West coast

  • Modelling wave-driven flooding at Miami, Florida

  • Modelling urban flooding in 100 global cities

  • Modelling sea level rise and storm driven flooding for all SIDS globally

  • Modelling coastal flooding in Denmark

  • Modelling wave-driven flooding in Cuba

  • Modelling flash-floods in Turkey

  • Modelling large scale compound flooding in Australia in a Delft-FEWS early warning system

  • Modelling wave-driven flooding on coral reeflined coasts of Puerto Rico

  • Modelling coastal and riverine flooding in Indonesia

  • Modelling wave-driven flooding in the Philippines

  • Modelling of urban flooding and adaptation measures in Ireland

  • Modelling emergency response of flooding in Pakistan and Nigeria during the 2022 floods

Publications

There have been various journal publications and conference posters where SFINCS has been used and/or validated:

Leijnse et al. (2020)

Lasserre et al. (2020)