Abstract
Flood events represent some of the most catastrophic natural disasters, especially in localities where appropriate measurement instruments and early warning systems are not available. Remotely sensed data can often help to obtain near real-time rainfall information with a global spatial coverage without the limitations that characterize other instruments. In order to achieve this goal, a freely accessible Extreme Rainfall Detection System (ERDS—erds.ithacaweb.org) was developed and implemented by ITHACA with the aim of monitoring and forecasting exceptional rainfall events and providing information in an understandable way for researchers as well as non-specialized users. The near real-time rainfall monitoring is performed by taking advantage of NASA GPM (Global Precipitation Measurement) IMERG (Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM) half-hourly data (one of the most advanced rainfall measurements provided by satellite). This study aims to evaluate ERDS performance in the detection of the extreme rainfall that led to a massive flood event in Queensland (Australia) between January and February 2019. Due to the impressive amount of rainfall that affected the area, Flinders River (one of the longest Australian rivers) overflowed, expanding to a width of tens of kilometers. Several cities were also partially affected and Copernicus Emergency Management Service was activated with the aim of providing an assessment of the impact of the event. In this research, ERDS outputs were validated using both in situ and open source remotely sensed data. Specifically, taking advantage of both NASA MODIS (Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and Copernicus Sentinel datasets, it was possible to gain a clear look at the full extent of the flood event. GPM data proved to be a reliable source of rainfall information for the evaluation of areas affected by heavy rainfall. By merging these data, it was possible to recreate the dynamics of the event.
Highlights
According to the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), heavy rainfall affectedQueensland (Australia) from 26 January 2019 until 9 February 2019 [1]
This study aims to evaluate Extreme Rainfall DetectionSystem (ERDS) performance in the detection of the extreme rainfall that led to a massive flood event in Queensland (Australia) between January and February 2019
The first row shows the results obtained using daily rainfall measurements contained in the Bureau of Meteorology climate database, while the second row was obtained using NASA GPM IMERG early run half-hourly data
Summary
According to the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), heavy rainfall affected. Queensland (Australia) from 26 January 2019 until 9 February 2019 [1]. Several localities received more than four times their February average rainfall [1]. The massive amount of rainfall led to moderate to major flooding. Proceedings 2019, 18, 1 the extreme rainfall that led to this massive flood event by comparing the weekly accumulated rainfall with in situ rainfall measurements. Alerts provided by ITHACA Extreme Rainfall Detection. System (ERDS) were analyzed in order to estimate the most affected areas. ERDS outputs were validated using an automatic flooded areas extraction performed both on Sentinel-3 and on MODIS (Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) optical images acquired after the end of the rainy period
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