EGS XXVI General Assembly, Nice, France, March 2001

NH3.01 Risk assessment and mapping: Flood risk assessment and mapping (co-sponsored by HS)

Event Information

Research on flood risk assessment and mapping is very important not only from the scientific point of view, but also for the economical and social impact of this work. A large proportion of population is located in flood-prone areas and exposed to flood risk. Developing better tools and techniques to estimate the risk of flooding in populated areas is therefore an urgent problem for the whole society. The aim of this session is to discuss both theoretical and practical problems related to the determination of flood risk using advanced modelling and mapping techniques. The session emphasizes risk evaluation and its implications for policy making. Papers on the following topics are encouraged: (1) Data requirements (quality and resolution), data-collection techniques and information systems for data storage, maintenace and retrieval. (2) Assessment of modelling tools and techniques: reliability of model predictions for impact estimators (depth and velocity), representation of natural and man-made constraints to flood flows, computational and numerical issues, etc. (3) Methods to estimate the impact of flooding on rural and urban areas: effects of depth, velocity, duration, sediment load, etc. (4) Methodological issues for risk analysis: linkage between flood frequency analysis, floodplain simulation and damage estimation. (5) Dissemination of risk information to the affected population: selection of relevant information, map production and distribution, etc. (6) Risk managemente and mitigation: early warning systems, policy-making, insurance, urban development and land use, flood control structures, building codes, etc.

Preliminary List of Solicited Speakers

Co-Sponsorship