A systematic field survey of the “Hato” storm surge was conducted and the numerical modeling of inundation extent and depth was performed. The mechanisms damaging typical hazard-bearing bodies during marine disasters were clarified, and the effects of the “Hato” storm surge were analyzed. The proposed model can reproduce this typhoon and storm surge event, which was evaluated by comparing field observations with numerical simulations, showing good consistency with the observed flooding records.

This study proposes a quantitative method for the determination of warning water levels. The proposed method is a multidimensional scale, centered on the consideration of various factors that characterize various coastlines. The implications of our study are not only scientific, as we provide a method for water level determination that is rooted in the scientific method (and reproducible across various contexts beyond China), but they are also deeply practical.