How can you assess and reduce flood risk?

1 Flood hazard

Flood hazard is the probability and magnitude of a flood event at a specific location and time. It depends on various factors, such as rainfall, topography, soil, land use, and climate change. To assess flood hazard, you can use historical data, hydrological models, or statistical methods. You can also use geographic information systems (GIS) to map and visualize flood hazard zones and scenarios.

2 Flood exposure

Flood exposure is the extent and value of the elements that are affected by a flood event, such as people, buildings, roads, utilities, and ecosystems. To assess flood exposure, you need to collect and analyze data on the location, characteristics, and vulnerability of these elements. You can also use GIS to overlay flood hazard maps with exposure data and estimate the potential losses and impacts of a flood event.

3 Flood resilience

Flood resilience is the ability of a system or a community to cope with, adapt to, and recover from a flood event. It depends on various factors, such as physical, social, economic, and institutional capacities. To assess flood resilience, you can use indicators, surveys, or participatory methods. You can also use GIS to monitor and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of flood resilience measures and strategies.

4 Flood mitigation

Flood mitigation is the action of reducing or preventing the adverse effects of a flood event, either by modifying the flood hazard or the flood exposure. There are different types of flood mitigation measures, such as structural, non-structural, or green. Structural measures include engineering solutions, such as levees, dams, culverts, or detention basins. Non-structural measures include planning and management solutions, such as zoning, regulation, insurance, or warning systems. Green measures include natural or nature-based solutions, such as wetlands, rain gardens, or permeable pavements.

5 Flood adaptation

Flood adaptation is the action of adjusting or transforming the system or the community to cope with the changing flood conditions and risks, either by enhancing the flood resilience or by reducing the flood exposure. There are different types of flood adaptation measures, such as incremental, transitional, or transformational. Incremental measures include improving or modifying existing practices, such as upgrading infrastructure, increasing awareness, or strengthening institutions. Transitional measures include changing or replacing existing practices, such as relocating assets, diversifying livelihoods, or creating new institutions. Transformational measures include creating or adopting new practices, such as redesigning systems, changing values, or developing new paradigms.

6 Flood management

Flood management is the process of integrating and coordinating the various flood assessment and reduction measures and strategies, with the aim of achieving a sustainable and resilient development. It involves multiple stakeholders, such as governments, engineers, planners, communities, and NGOs. It also requires multiple tools, such as data, models, maps, indicators, and policies. Flood management is a complex and dynamic task that requires a holistic and adaptive approach, based on the best available knowledge and evidence.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?