Abstract
ABSTRACTThe map shows the result of a procedure for pluvial flood hazard (PFH) mapping in urban areas, developed by using easy to find data, usually available from local authorities. Data were processed using a sequence of tools in a GIS environment. Two parameters have been evaluated: (1) susceptibility, defined as the probability of a flood occurring in a certain area (‘flood-prone areas’) which depends on the ground morphology (i.e. presence of depressions, fill volume of depressions) and spatial density of previously observed floods and (2) potential impact, formed from all factors influencing the damage (e.g. value of exposed heritage or number of people potentially involved), as well as the induced hazard due to damage. Susceptibility and potential impact were each divided into five classes and a score matrix was constructed; the final PFH is then defined by the summation of the scores within the matrix. The methodology used is suitable for a comprehensive, mostly automatic, first-level analysis of PFH in urban areas, and it is easily replicable. The obtained flood hazard map could provide a useful tool for civil protection purposes, that is, for hazard evaluation and emergency planning.
Highlights
Floods are one of the most common and widely distributed natural hazards affecting life and property
As urban areas are vulnerable to natural hazards, due to the high concentration of population, buildings, economic activities, distribution networks and cultural heritage, the mitigation of urban flooding caused by extreme rainfall is one of the main challenges of urban drainage management
While well-established and tested procedures exist for river flood hazard assessment (e.g. Dawson et al, 2008; Morita, 2008), techniques for the study and the management of flood hazard caused by extreme rainfall is generally poorly considered (Niemann & Illgen, 2011; Zhou, Mikkelsen, Halsnaes, & Arnbjerg-Nielsen, 2012)
Summary
Floods are one of the most common and widely distributed natural hazards affecting life and property. Causes hydraulic hazard, due to the sealing of natural surfaces and the underground channelling of the natural drainage network into pipes, strongly increasing surface water runoff and leading to deterioration of the water quality. As urban areas are vulnerable to natural hazards, due to the high concentration of population, buildings, economic activities, distribution networks and cultural heritage, the mitigation of urban flooding caused by extreme rainfall is one of the main challenges of urban drainage management. Dawson et al, 2008; Morita, 2008), techniques for the study and the management of flood hazard caused by extreme rainfall is generally poorly considered (Niemann & Illgen, 2011; Zhou, Mikkelsen, Halsnaes, & Arnbjerg-Nielsen, 2012) While well-established and tested procedures exist for river flood hazard assessment (e.g. Dawson et al, 2008; Morita, 2008), techniques for the study and the management of flood hazard caused by extreme rainfall is generally poorly considered (Niemann & Illgen, 2011; Zhou, Mikkelsen, Halsnaes, & Arnbjerg-Nielsen, 2012)
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