On Smart Regions, Euronews finds out how the I-STORMS project is aiming to protect the Adriatic-Ionian area from sea storms.
In Venice in Italy, the wind and high tides are always being carefully monitored because of the impact subsequent floods can have. It is a concern shared with other riparian countries.
In this episode of Smart Regions, Euronews spoke to Alvise Papa, from the Tide Forecasting Centre, who explained why coordinated management of the 'aqua alta' and thunderstorms is so essential.
"It is very urgent and important because climate change here, we see it first compared to other areas of the world.
"Tide levels at sea level are rising very rapidly and are also the most critical and violent meteorological phenomena.
"Venice has always measured sea levels in various parts of the city. We have learned from history that it is important to have a point of reference with which to focus all values. So we thought of I-STORMS," Alvise Papa added.
The I-STORMS project seeks to improve the early warning and civil protection procedures in sea storm emergencies. It does this through transnational cooperation to enhance innovative policies and develop joint strategies to safeguard the Adriatic-Ionian area from sea storms.
Its web system is a combination of a common data system for sharing ocean measurements and forecasts, a multi-model forecasting system, a geoportal and an interactive geo-visualisation tool to make results available to the general public.
This project is funded under the European Regional Development Fund and IPA II fund.
"I- STORMS is just the beginning. We have created with our partners the tool with which to share data, measurements and forecasts for those meteorological sea phenomena affecting Venice and start in the Ionian Sea and those affecting Croatia and start in Greece. With the project, we have created the software and hardware tools to share the data but we have also laid the foundations, together with all the partners who participated in the project, to create a shared future strategy to take similar decisions all together and to work on the European Civil Protection Mechanism," Alvise Papa said.