URBAS - urban flash floods. Prediction and management of flash floods in urban areas
Background and Goals
The subject of the project's research is the damage caused by heavy rain and flash floods in Germany. The aim is to obtain findings on the nature, form and regional frequency of heavy rain. At the same time, information will be provided about damage patterns and regional risk distribution for flash floods. Based on analysis of actual events and case studies in 15 communities in Germany, meteorological investigations, precipitation drainage analyses, evaluations of potential damage and ex-post analyses of previous response patterns will be performed. These form the basis for developing new findings on the regional distribution of hazards and risks.
Objectives
As part of the project, findings on the heavy precipitation event type will be improved and extended. The objective is to develop innovative, practicable proposals for actions to minimise damage that have a reasonable cost/benefit ratio. This also includes information on regional hazard and risk distribution and on flooding patterns and damage. Based on this, proposals will be drawn up for preventive actions and protective measures, to improve forecasting capabilities and warning systems and for disaster protection after an event.
Content time
toResearch area/region
Country
- Germany
Region of implementation (all German federal states)
- Baden-Württemberg
- Bavaria
- Berlin
- Brandenburg
- Bremen
- Hamburg
- Hesse
- Mecklenburg Western Pomerania
- Lower Saxony
- Northrhine-Westphalia
- Rhineland Palatinate
- Saarland
- Saxony
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Schleswig-Holstein
- Thuringia
Natural spatial classification
- Alp and North Bavarian hills
- Alps
- Erz Mountains, Thuringian Forest and Bavarian Forest
- coasts: North Sea-/Baltic Sea coasts
- Low mountain ranges left and right of Rhine
- North-East German lowland
- North-West German lowland
- South-Eeastern basin and hills
- West German lowland bay
- Central low mountain ranges and Harz
Steps in the process of adaptation to climate change
Step 1: Understand and describe climate change
Approach and results
No climate scenarios are used, but heavy rain events and flash floods in Germany over the last 20 to 30 years are analysed. The heavy rain events are not studied to determine whether they are a result of climate change.
Results:
- Database containing more than 400 events resulting in damage in Germany from the last approx. 20 years They provide a sound overview of the occurrence of these events and an estimate of the damage incurred.
- Case study reports on flash flood events in 15 communities in Germany. Based on the evaluation of population structures, topography, meteorological studies, precipitation and drainage analyses, recording of damage incurred and ex-post analyses of past response patterns, new practical findings will be produced on the nature, character, frequency and consequences of torrential rain and flash floods in populated areas.
- National evaluation of precipitation radar measures from the last eight years shows the regions in Germany in which a particular risk of heavy rain can be expected.
Parameter (climate signals)
- River flooding
- Flash floods
- Extreme precipitation (incl. hail, snow)
Step 2a: Identify and assess risks - climate effects and impact
Approach and results
No climate effects are analysed but the consequences of flash floods caused by heavy rain events in the past and the resulting damage in urban areas are studied.
Results
Drawing up appropriate and practical hazard and risk analysis methods for flash floods in communities and model-based production of hazard and risk maps.
Step 3: Develop and compare measures
Measures and/or strategies
Possible preventive measures and actions are developed in communities, e.g. arranging insurance, technical measures or information distribution using brochures and establishing community hazard and risk maps for flash floods as part of risk management. For example, temporary retention areas in green space for temporary intermediate storage of surface drainage can be used for adaptation. The project will also provide new findings on risk management for torrential rain and flash floods in populated areas. The project will also supply new information on the regional risk distribution and character for torrential rain in populated areas.
The results are:
- Gathering and evaluation of measures to minimise damage from flash floods (warning, overcoming events, prevention) in the fields of water management, urban development and construction, disaster protection.
- Ongoing development of the German Meteorological Office's "KONRAD" adverse weather warning system, with the objective of faster identification of quasi-stationary convective heavy rain cells, which frequently trigger flash floods.
Participants
Funding / Financing
BMBF-funded programme "Risk Management of Extreme Flood Events" (RIMAX)
Project management
Hydrotec Engineering Company for Water and Environment, Aachen
Cooperation/Partners
German National Meteorological Service (DWD),
Aachen University of Applied Sciences: Faculty of Architecture and Urban Development.
Cooperation partners:
Deutsche Rück;
Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg: Authority for Urban Development and the Environment;
Stadtentwässerungsbetrieb Paderborn (municipal sewage works)
Contact
Hydrotec Ingenieurgesellschaft für Wasser und Umwelt mbH
Bachstraße 62-64
D-52066 Aachen
