It also depends on the local topography of the coast, where land meets water.

FORBES: Rising Seas Along the East Coast

They have data not only on the value, construction type and number of buildings in an area, and the likely value of their household goods, but also on the local topography and vegetation.

ECONOMIST: Eye on the storm | The

If you predicting rainfall for northern England as opposed to Western Europe, then you have to take into account local factors (such as an area's topography).

BBC: England's uplands 'get more frequent heavy rainfall'

The clearer fault lies with more local decisions: first to do with changing Louisiana's topography, and then with its preparedness for such emergencies.

ECONOMIST: Hurricane Katrina

By restaging compositions from celebrated paintings (the majority of them in the permanent collection of the local Aberdeen Art Gallery), her work moves beyond the surface struggle and the issues around the changing topography.

BBC: Two photographers focus on Menie