Hazard Preparedness Research Articles

Flood risk perception and responses among urban residents in the northeastern United States

Growing flood risks raise difficult questions regarding risk perception, protective actions, and government response. Drawing on behavioral decision theory, protection motivation theory, and the protective action decision model, we examine the roles risk salience and immediacy, response efficacy, and trust in government authorities play in perceptions of flood risk and adoption of protective actions, with a focus on flood insurance. Data come from focus group discussions conducted in 2 flood-affected neighborhoods in Troy, New York, United States of America. Troy has a history of flooding, including major floods linked to Hurricane Irene in 2011. While several participants had vivid memories of past floods, overall salience of flood risk was low. While they recognized responsiveness of local government at the time of hazard events, they expressed concern about inadequate preparation for future disasters. Participants expressed concern about flood insurance, citing costs, inadequate coverage, and arduous procedures needed to file claims. They expressed distrust in the institutions surrounding flood insurance. We argue that emergency managers will need to be responsive to people's multiple concerns in order to build the awareness and trust on which effective natural hazard preparedness depends.

Sequestration of mercury and cadmium by a heavy metals' tolerant Bacillus cereus strain JS-3: a microbial preparedness for terrestrial and anthropogenic hazards

A large number of heavy metals are discharged in the form of industrial effluents into the soil and natural water bodies beyond the permissible limits. Accumulation of bio-available forms of these hazardous elements in the natural sites poses both environmental and human health implications throughout the globe. In the present study, a bacterial strain JS-3 has been explored toward its tolerance for different heavy metals along with sequestration and transformation of mercury and cadmium. Strain JS-3 was characterized morphologically, physiologically, and biochemically followed by 16S rRNA homology analysis and identified as Bacillus cereus. The results highlight that isolate has a remarkable tolerance (up to 20 µg/g as an active ingredient) toward almost all heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Ni, As, Hg and Se. After acclimatization in first 24 hours, almost comparable growth has been observed in control and mercury supplemented Tryptone Soya Broth (TSB) while a significant impact on the growth was observed in cadmium supplemented TSB. After 96 hours, almost 80% of the mercury and 70% cadmium has been sequestered in the biomass supplemented with 25 µg/g of these metal salts with a decrease in sequestration with increase in initial concentration of metals has been observed. SEM and EDX analysis further confirmed the accumulation of these metals in the biomass. XRD-analysis of the biomass revealed no characteristic peak associated with the crystalline nature of the mercuric chloride and cadmium chloride but it ensures transformation of these salts into the amorphous material within the bacterial cells.

Rethinking Risk Perception and its Importance for Explaining Natural Hazard Preparedness Behavior.

Psychological theory suggests there is a positive association between risk perception and protective behavior. Empirical research has, however, found mixed support for the positive link between risk perception and protective behavior. One explanation for the inconsistent link is the way in which risk perception has been conceptualized and/or operationalized in past research. Specifically, few studies acknowledge differences in hazard severity and how it might affect risk perception and protective behavior. Past research has also tended to overlook the importance of emotional appraisal in relation to perceived hazard consequences. To address these inconsistencies in past research, 337 people living in a cyclone-prone location were recruited to participate in an online study. In this study, respondents were randomly presented with one of five hypothetical cyclone scenarios, which differed in objective severity. Respondents were also presented with a survey, which assessed risk perception, protective action perceptions (or coping appraisal), and intentions to perform short-term protective behaviors. As hypothesized, risk perception significantly increased preparedness intentions when controlling for hazard severity, hazard probability, and protective action perceptions. Moreover, the degree to which respondents associated negative emotions with predicted damage was also a relatively strong predictor of preparedness intentions. Overall, the findings support the theoretical link between risk perception and protective behavior and provide a new method of assessing risk perception in cross-sectional research. On a practical level, the results suggest that increasing risk perception should promote protective behavior in response to natural hazards.

Voluntary associations and hazard preparedness behaviour amongst Taiwanese individuals

ABSTRACT This study examined how Taiwanese individuals’ preparedness behaviours regarding natural hazards are linked to their social connections and to their direct/indirect exposure to previous natural hazards. Using 2013 Taiwan Social Change Survey data, this study investigated how the respondents’ membership in voluntary associations, damage experience caused by previous hazards, and perceived risk of potential hazards affect their adoption of hazard preparedness behaviours. The study distinguished three types of associations—civic, reward-based, and social/recreational—and three types of damage from natural hazards—property loss, psychological trauma, and injury—to determine whether they have different effects on the adoption of hazard preparedness behaviours. The results of this study indicate that the members of voluntary associations were more prepared for natural hazards than non-members; the members of civic and reward-based associations tended to take significantly more preparedness measures than non-members, whereas the members of social/recreational associations did not. In particular, the members of reward-based associations were likely to initiate their first preparation measures. Meanwhile, both damage experience and risk perception showed positive effects on the adoption of preparedness behaviours, but these effects were stronger for typhoons than for earthquakes.

Geospatial modelling of tropical cyclone risk along the northeast coast of Oman: Marine hazard mitigation and management policies

Globally, an increasing and more dispersed population, as well as climate change, have led to growing impacts of environmental hazards, particularly across areas prone to extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones. Tropical cyclones frequently cause fatalities, damage to infrastructure, and disruption to economic activities. The north and northeast regions of Oman, particularly the Oman seacoast, are prone to the storm surges, windstorms and extreme precipitation events associated with these tropical storms. However, integrated spatial risk assessments, for the purpose of mapping cyclone risk at subnational geographic scales, have not yet been developed in this area. Here we evaluate and map cyclone risk using four independent components of risk: hazard, exposure, vulnerability and mitigation capacity. An integrated risk index was calculated using a geographical information system (GIS) and an analytical hierarchical process (AHP) technique, based on a geodatabase including 17 variables (i.e., GIS data layers) and criteria, with rank and weight scores for each criterion. The resulting risk assessment reveals the spatial variation in cyclone risk across the study area and highlights how this variation is controlled by variations in physical hazard, exposure, vulnerability and emergency preparedness. The risk maps reveal that, despite their perceived adaptive capacity for disaster mitigation, the population and assets in low-lying lands situated near the coastline in the east of Muscat, as well as the Al-Batnah south governorates, are at high risk due to cyclones. Furthermore, the coastal zones of the urban Wilayats of the Muscat governorate were also found to be at high, to very high, risk. This study has several policy implications and can provide effective guidelines for natural hazard preparedness and mitigation across the northern coasts of Oman.

A storm is brewing: Antecedents of disaster preparation in risk prone locations

AbstractResearch SummaryResearch emphasizes the value of disaster preparation and the importance of experience in doing so, yet most companies fail to prepare. The antecedents of preparation are poorly understood, in part, because experience by itself only partly explains the story. To address these concerns, we developed two unique surveys: one from an international survey in 18 disaster‐prone countries and another from a U.S. survey in New York City and Miami. We find that organizational experience with natural disasters increases preparedness for future hazards. Also, organizational learning from other businesses and organiztions positively mediates this relationship. Managers are more willing to learn from others in locations characterized by high‐impact, low‐frequency disasters. In areas with low impact, high frequency disasters, managers more likely misjudge the severity of natural disasters.Managerial SummaryDespite the increasing frequency and severity of floods, storms, wildfires and other natural hazards, why do some firms in disaster‐prone areas prepare while others do not? To investigate, we conducted two studies: an international survey in 18 disaster‐prone countries and a U.S. survey in New York City and Miami. In both surveys, managers are more likely to prepare when their companies experienced prior disasters. Managers operating in locations characterized by high‐impact, low‐frequency disasters are more willing to learn from others. In contrast, managers in areas characterized by low impact, high frequency disasters, are more likely to prepare alone. Since effective disaster preparation typically entails working with, and learning from others, those companies that choose a go‐it‐alone strategy may misjudge disaster risk.

Improving Understanding of and Response to Infodemics During Public Health Emergencies.

Improving Understanding of and Response to Infodemics During Public Health Emergencies.

Earthquake preparedness among religious minority groups: the case of the Jewish ultra-Orthodox society in Israel

Abstract. To work effectively, emergency management systems that deal with earthquake threats must consider the needs of religious minority groups. Studies regarding earthquake preparedness among marginalized social–cultural groups can highlight ways to improve it. Recently, some research has focused on the effect of religion on earthquake preparedness. However, very few studies have connected the two and examined earthquake preparedness among religious groups that are also a social–cultural minority in relation to the authorities. This study examines the effects of religious beliefs and customs on earthquake preparedness among the Jewish ultra-Orthodox community in Israel, a significant religious minority with unique social, cultural, and economic characteristics. Data were obtained using mixed methods including a survey, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. Results demonstrated that the majority of the community had a low level of hazard knowledge and a high level of disbelief that a devastating earthquake would occur in their area in the near future. This is despite a long-documented history of earthquakes that devastated the Levant and, in particular, dwelling locations for this community. Low exposure to media, insularity of educational institutions, and suspicion toward state authorities were shown to hinder preparedness, while strong social capital improved it. This research is unique for it studies a religious group that is also a cultural minority, which, therefore, requires special adaptations. Some of the recommended adaptations include receiving support from religious leaders, publishing preparation guidelines in proper settings, working with civilian organizations that are seen as legitimate by the religious communities, and adapting technologies and information to be religiously appropriate. To conclude, this research offers a perspective on the complex reality of hazard preparedness in a religiously diverse country. The conclusions are applicable to other countries and natural hazards.

How do people perceive flood risk? Findings from a public survey in Tuscany, Italy

AbstractThe study of risk perception (RP) has much increased in the last years to improve flood risk management. Effective communication requires an understanding of how the risk of flooding is perceived by residents of different areas. In this work, RP is investigated through a survey involving 483 people living in Tuscany. RP was assessed through a score built on four items covering personal, residence, and sociodemographic variables concerning flood RP. Results showed that: (a) flood RP was moderate; (b) RP was positively correlated with age, higher education, proximity to a river and direct experience; (c) people who experienced floods felt themselves to be more informed and prepared; (d) subjectively perceived risk and experts' risk assessment seemed generally correlated, even if people living in areas at “high risk” tend to underestimate the actual flood risk level; (e) the majority of the respondents considered the government and themselves as equally responsible for personal preparedness; and (f) less than 20% was aware of a Local Emergency Plan. The need of focusing on people living in the riskiest areas with targeted communication campaigns on risk awareness, hazard preparedness, and other implications of the findings in terms of communication strategies are discussed.

A hazard preparedness plan for a selected stretch of hill road between Kodaikkanal and Palani

The hill road between Kodaikkanal and Palani which serves as major connecting link between the two places is affected by landslides every year during monsoons and intense summer showers. This causes a severe impediment to the growth and development of the hill town, leading to social and economic impacts on the community. Therefore, it is mandatory to formulate a preparedness plan to combat the impacts of slope failure along this stretch. The role of ICT enabled technologies play a vital role in connecting the various segments of the preparedness plan. In line with this need, this paper attempts to identify zones susceptibility to landslides along the selected stretch using a bivariate statistical model frequency ratio, map the spatial variability of susceptibility to landslides using Geographic Information System (GIS) and formulate a preparedness plan to minimize the social and economic impacts of landslides on the community. The preparedness plan links various levels of administration and the hill community, training them in hazard response and mitigation using various ICT based technologies for effective communication during response and rescue operations. Planning includes the identification of risks involved in the event of hazard, development of early warning systems and identifying the specific needs of the community for protection from risk, resource identification, awareness of the government and non-government agencies involved in the action plan, detailed chain of command within and outside each organization to co-ordinate relief activities.

Earthquake Hazard Knowledge, Preparedness, and Risk Reduction in the Bangladeshi Readymade Garment Industry

The Bangladeshi readymade garment (RMG) industry is considered the main driver of economic transformation, as it employs many unskilled and underprivileged people. However, recently, the RMG industry has faced international concern because of several building collapses and fire incidents, indicating inadequacy in the structural design and preparedness measures in the factory buildings. This research aims to understand earthquake hazard knowledge, preparedness, and emergency response, which may contribute to earthquake risk reduction in the RMG industry in Bangladesh. A survey using the methods of structured and semi-structured interviews and field observations was carried out to achieve the aims of this research. The findings suggest that 43% of these workers perceived their workplace as being a highly fire-prone environment, while 55 respondents believed that they were at risk of both fires and earthquakes. Only two percent believed that the workplaces are only at risk of earthquakes because the industries they work for have a zero-tolerance policy toward fire hazards. It was noted that the preparedness and improvement strategies were exclusively focused on fire hazards and related safety programs. Finally, the research suggests that the RMG industry may strengthen its earthquake risk reduction program by improving preparedness within the current workplace safety manuals without incurring extra effort and cost.

Assessment Of Tsunami Hazard In Sabah – Level Of Threat, Constraints And Future Work

The coastal areas of Sabah are exposed to far-field earthquake-induced tsunamis that could be generated along the trenches of Manila, Negros, Sulu, Cotabato, Sangihe and North Sulawesi. Tsunami simulation models from these trenches indicated that tsunami waves can reach the coast of Sabah between 40 and 120 minutes with tsunami wave heights reaching up to 3 m near the coast. The level of tsunami threat is high in southeast Sabah due to its narrow continental shelf and proximity to tsunami source in the North Sulawesi Trench. The level of tsunami threat is moderate in north and east Sabah due to their proximity to tsunami source in the Sulu Trench. The level of tsunami threat is low in west Sabah due to its distant location to tsunami source from the Manila Trench. While tsunamis cannot be prevented, its impact on human life and property can be reduced through proper assessment of its threat using tsunami simulation models. Unfortunately, constraints remain in producing a reliable tsunami inundation models due to the lack of high-resolution topography and bathymetry data in Sabah and surrounding seas. It would be helpful if such data can be acquired by the relevant government agencies, at least first, in high threat-level areas, such as Tawau and Semporna districts. In order to properly plan mitigation measures tsunami risk mapping should be intensified in high threat-level areas. The locations of settlements (including water villages), population concentrations, types of buildings and houses, road system, drainage system, harbours, jetties and vegetations (including mangroves) need to be mapped in great detail. Based on the detailed tsunami risk map, targeted vulnerable communities could be given continuous and intensive education and awareness on basic tsunami science and tsunami hazard preparedness.

THE IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS ON THE TOURISM SECTOR WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MALAYSIA

The outbreak of Novel Coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has enormous economic consequences. It happened in the Wuhan city of China and rapidly spread across the world. While the Chinese economy has taken a major hit, the consequences extend far beyond the borders of China. Tourism is among the economic sectors that have been profoundly affected by the viral outbreak. Due to strong economic links with China, Malaysia has suffered enormous economic losses. Extended lockdowns, flight disruptions and other measures taken to contain the infection, and releasing stimulus packages have caused considerable downturn in the economic growth. A genesis of the pandemic origin and transmission is necessary not only to mitigate the prevailing situation but also preventing a repeat of such an event in the future. The coronavirus outbreak is a wake-up call for insulating the society and economy, especially the most vulnerable sectors. Although the outbreak happened in December 2019, it continues to inflict health hazards and economic meltdown. This should serve to demonstrate the significance of preventing the new infections without delay. It all started from the unregulated consumption of wildlife and the consequent setback to the natural ecosystem. Vulnerability of the tourism sector to pandemics is due to obvious reasons; people avoid visiting places in the grip of pandemic and tourism destinations close their doors to arrivals from the virus-affected countries. There is a need for international mechanisms for regulating the factors that lead to origin of the pandemic and applying available means for containing it should that happen. For the tourism, effective management strategies are necessary to insulate this industry. This paper highlights the causes of the pandemic to effectively link its consequences for the tourism sector while also discussing the need to support its revival. An important measure emphasized in in this paper as a revival strategy is building resilience in the natural capital. This systems approach is necessary in dealing with the post-COVID-19 scenario and in better preparedness for any future health hazards.

Combating food insecurity in a rapidly changing mountain climate environment: insights from Lesotho

This paper assesses the options that developing countries have in ensuring food security in an environment where key climate parameters are changing rapidly. Based on a case study of Lesotho, the paper utilizes the Global Climate Model ensemble to determine future precipitation and temperature projections using data from Climate Explorer. The results indicate that in Lesotho, maximum temperature is likely to continue to increase. Coupled with a significant increase in precipitation under both Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 (p = 0.0008) and RCP 8.5 (p = 0.0001) scenarios and a significant increase of evaporation under the two scenarios for RCP 4.5 (p = 0.0008) and RCP 8.5 (p = 0.0103), the country’s preparedness for hazards arising from climate change is rendered uncertain. Despite this reality, we suggest that uncertainty could be reduced by reinforcing existing innovative measures that could improve the productive capacity of subsistence farmers, so that they meet their own food requirements, while preventing further environmental deterioration. While some measures will be based on the intensification of government-led social support mechanisms, others will depend on the support rendered to “tried and tested” traditional practices such as machobane and fato-fato, which have a long tradition in the country. However, on their own, these measures are insufficient to cope with rapidly changing climatic conditions, unless they are coupled with national research development initiatives, improved early warning systems, and enhancement of environmental monitoring capabilities, the implementation of which requires careful land use planning.

Withstanding winter vulnerabilities: A way of life in a northern seaside community

Abstract This study responds to the dearth of qualitative research on long-term adaptation to winter climate-induced access and safety problems in rural areas in Western welfare societies. Based on qualitative interviews with 19 long-term residents in a thriving fishing village in northern Norway, the paper explores how they have adapted to and coped with roadside avalanches, blizzards, heavy snowfalls, and snowdrifts that have suddenly closed access highways and cut off other lifelines. The study shows that the inhabitants have internalised hazard adaptation and preparedness through safeguarding themselves, family members, their home and community during difficult times. Still, they admitted that local solidarity and coping capacity were changing with the arrival of newcomers who are less accustomed to and experienced with these hazards. Despite high personal and joint adaptation and coping capacities, the study also reveals denial of risk and the prevalence of worry, particularly among women. The inhabitants acknowledged mortality risk while driving on avalanche-exposed winter highways, yet assumed that they would not have a fatal accident.

Integrating Climatic and Physical Information in a Bayesian Hierarchical Model of Extreme Daily Precipitation

Extreme precipitation events are often localized, difficult to predict, and available records are often sparse. Improving frequency analysis and describing the associated uncertainty are essential for regional hazard preparedness and infrastructure design. Our primary goal is to evaluate incorporating Bayesian model averaging (BMA) within a spatial Bayesian hierarchical model framework (BHM). We compare results from two distinct regions in Oregon with different dominating rainfall generation mechanisms, and a region of overlap. We consider several Bayesian hierarchical models from relatively simple (location covariates only) to rather complex (location, elevation, and monthly mean climatic variables). We assess model predictive performance and selection through the application of leave-one-out cross-validation; however, other model assessment methods were also considered. We additionally conduct a comprehensive assessment of the posterior inclusion probability of covariates provided by the BMA portion of the model and the contribution of the spatial random effects term, which together characterize the pointwise spatial variation of each model’s generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution parameters within a BHM framework. Results indicate that while using BMA may improve analysis of extremes, model selection remains an important component of tuning model performance. The most complex model containing geographic and information was among the top performing models in western Oregon (with relatively wetter climate), while it performed among the worst in the eastern Oregon (with relatively drier climate). Based on our results from the region of overlap, site-specific predictive performance improves when the site and the model have a similar annual maxima climatology—winter storm dominated versus summer convective storm dominated. The results also indicate that regions with greater temperature variability may benefit from the inclusion of temperature information as a covariate. Overall, our results show that the BHM framework with BMA improves spatial analysis of extremes, especially when relevant (physical and/or climatic) covariates are used.

Landslide Hazard Knowledge, Risk Perception and Preparedness in Southeast Bangladesh

Over the last thirty years, Bangladesh has been experiencing hill cutting problems and subsequent landslide occurrence in its southeastern hilly region. Since 2000, landslides have caused over 500 deaths, mostly in informal settlements in southeast Bangladesh. The most significant single event was the 2007 landslide causing 127 deaths in Chittagong’s informal settlements. The landslide events took over 110 people in Rangamati on 12 June 2017. In the scenario of rising deaths by landslides in the southeastern region, this research aimed to understand communities’ landslide hazard knowledge, reasons for living in at-risk areas, risk perception and preparedness. This research applied both quantitative (i.e., structural questionnaire) and qualitative (i.e., semi-structured and open-ended questionnaire and informal interviews) data collection techniques to assess hill-top and hill-side dwellers knowledge, risk perception and preparedness to landslides in southeast Bangladesh. The investigation conducted face-to-face interviews with 208 community members, 15 key informant interviews, three Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and field observations and visits in southeast Bangladesh. The findings suggest that unplanned development activities, overpopulation, settlement along hill slopes and ineffective disaster risk reduction efforts are the anthropogenic contributories accompanying climate-change induced increased torrential rainfall are the main reasons for the increase of landslide occurrence. The results suggest that community members perceive a low-risk for landslides, despite the community’s location in high-risk areas. The community’s perception of low risk results in a lack of preparedness and an unwillingness to relocate a comparatively safer place. It was noted that landslide disaster preparation depends on the communities’ development maturity, house ownership, ethnicity, gender and economic status of the residents. It is suggested that the place of relocation for residents living in the high-risk areas should be selected with full consideration of psychosocial aspects of the community, particularly providing acceptable livelihood options.

Hospital Preparedness Measures for Biological Hazards: A Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis.

Biological hazards are one of the most important and common types of hazards in emergencies and disasters. Hospital preparedness measures for biological hazards are essential for a proper response and mitigation of its effects. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate hospital preparedness measures for biological hazards. For this research, electronic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library from March 1950 to June 2019 were searched. Key words such as hospital, emergency department, preparedness, plan, management, and biological hazards were used in combination with the Boolean operators OR and AND. A thematic synthesis approach through the use of MAXQDA software was applied to analyze the data. In total, 5257 articles were identified, in which 23 articles meet the inclusion criteria for entering the process of final analysis. The findings showed three main administrative, specialized, and logistical issues regarding preparedness measures for biological hazards in hospitals. Hospital preparedness for biological hazards is one of the most important hospital disaster plans. Results of this systematic review present valuable advice for policy-makers and hospital managers to prepare and enhance hospital performance against biological hazards.

Fostering disaster preparedness through community radio in cyclone-prone coastal Bangladesh

Media plays an important role during hazard emergency communication. Community radio, as a part of media, has emerged as a management tool for influencing at-risk people's preparedness for natural disasters. In Bangladesh, the concept of community radio is relatively new in terms of combating cyclone risk in coastal areas, and so far, no study applying mixed-method on role of radio in disaster preparedness has been performed. This study presents an empirical analysis of the role of community radio in disaster preparedness for people at risk in cyclone-prone south and southwestern coastal Bangladesh, where we use economic loss as a proxy of disaster preparedness. Using a multi-stage sampling, 430 households were selected for a questionnaire survey. For the quantitative approach, Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and Binary Logistic regression models were used, along with other parametric and non-parametric tools. For qualitative approach, FGD findings and individual statements were used. The main results of this study suggest that listening to hazard-related programs on both state-operated and community radio has played a significant role in cyclone-related disaster preparedness in terms of minimizing cyclone-induced economic loss. Nevertheless, the distinct feature of broadcasting early warnings in local dialects on a local basis has increased the comprehensibility, information clarity, and reliability of the warning messages delivered by community radio, and this has helped at-risk people to make proper preparations for cyclone risks. Furthermore, this radio appears to help the people at risk to enhance their knowledge and awareness on hazard preparedness, which has made them more experienced to lessen disaster loss over last decade. These issues together appear to have helped community radio listeners to incur a significantly lower degree of economic loss than that of non-listeners (z=3.11,p<0.003), implying better disaster preparedness by the listeners.

Flood Estimation for SMART Control Operation Using Integrated Radar Rainfall Input with the HEC-HMS Model

Accurate estimates of intense rainfall that induce flash floods in urban areas are necessary for flood hazard preparedness. The city of Kuala Lumpur is frequently hit by flash floods after prolonged heavy storms, causing substantial damage to property and infrastructure, and disruptions to the socioeconomic activities of urbanites. The flood mitigation measures that have been implemented include the 2007 construction of the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART), which diverts the flood water coming out of the Upper Klang Ampang catchment from entering the city prime areas. This study developed an integrated hydrological model of the catchment with input from radar rainfall to estimate the flood volume threshold value for SMART operation. The hydrologic and hydraulic modeling were performed using HEC-HMS with the HEC-GeoHMS tool to extract the hydrologic parameter information using GIS as input data for the catchment model. A radar processing system named RAINRATE AUTO V2 was developed to efficiently process raw radar data from the Subang radar and produce calibrated and gridded rainfall to the HEC-HMS flood estimation model for the Upper Klang Ampang urban catchment area. The results show promising performance regarding the use of radar rainfall, and there was an acceptable percent error in the peak discharge simulations. The advanced integrated system can be applied in managing flood risks at the catchment scale by efficiently estimating incoming flood events in the future.