Flood risk management approaches and tools for mitigation strategies of coastal submersions and preparedness of crisis management in France

Abstract

ABSTRACTAs a consequence of the disastrous Xynthia storm surge on 27–28 February 2010, France has significantly modified the country’s regulations related to flood risk management through implementation of the national plan for mitigation and management of the flash submersions (Plan Submersions Rapides). The paper describes the results of ‘CRISMA - Modelling crisis management for improved action and preparedness’, a collaborative research and development project co-funded by the European Community (2011–2014), which developed a generic framework for implementation of simulation-based decision support systems in different domains of the natural or industrial risks (floods, snowstorms, earthquakes, forest fires, accidental pollutions, mass accidents). In particular, the paper addresses the CRISMA-WAVE application of the framework regarding simulation of submersion effects at a range of temporal and spatial scales, preparedness planning and assessment of impacts depending on scenarios based on mitigation options for managing the inundation risks in the pilot area, Charente-Maritime county. In addition, an example of a complex regulatory study implementing a flood prevention action programme along the Northern Sea coast in order to provide an overall mid- and long-term intervention strategy regarding the combined risk of river floods and marine submersion, making use of CRISMA-WAVE methods and tools, is presented. The simulation capacity of the platform appears to provide a very good analytic support to find negotiated solutions corresponding to a consensus of all the stakeholders. The prevention strategy developed for the area is based on a solidarity principle between coastal areas and land areas. Adaptation of the territory to the increased risks due to the climate change will need tens of years to be effective.