Advances of Flood Risk Assessment and Management

A special issue of Climate (ISSN 2225-1154).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 13899

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Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST), Polytechnic University of Turin, Viale Mattioli 39, 10125 Turin, Italy
Interests: meteorology; hydrology; marine engineering; marine navigation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Flooding represents one of the most devastating and recurring natural disasters globally, with increasing frequency and severity attributed to climate change and urbanization. Effective flood risk assessment and management are essential components of disaster management and sustainable development. This Special Issue explores diverse aspects of flood risk assessment and management, enhancing our understanding of flood dynamics and informing policy and practice for more resilient and sustainable communities.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive platform for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share their latest research findings, methodologies, and practical solutions in flood risk assessment and management.

We invite contributions to this Special Issue that cover a wide range of themes related to the advancements in flood risk assessment and management. Suggested themes and article types for submissions include the following:

  1. Innovative flood risk assessment methods: discussing novel approaches, data sources, and technologies for assessing flood risk, including remote sensing, modeling, and data analytics;
  2. Flood hazard mapping and vulnerability assessment: focusing on the development of accurate flood hazard maps and vulnerability assessments, incorporating socio-economic and environmental factors;
  3. Flood risk management strategies: highlighting effective flood risk management strategies, including structural and non-structural measures, community-based approaches, and policy recommendations;
  4. Climate change adaptation and resilience building: adapting to changing climate patterns and building resilience to floods, considering future scenarios and long-term planning;
  5. Review and synthesis papers: comprehensive reviews and synthesis articles that provide an overview of the current state of flood risk assessment and management, highlighting key challenges and future directions.

By addressing these themes, this Special Issue aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, ultimately contributing to more effective flood risk assessment and management for resilient and sustainable communities.

Dr. Alessandro Pezzoli
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • climate change
  • flood risk assessment
  • flood management strategies
  • rural vulnerability
  • hydrological conditions
  • risk treatment efficiency
  • flood risk management
  • public participation in disaster risk reduction
  • climate scenarios

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3908 KiB  
Article
Scaling Properties of Rainfall as a Basis for Intensity–Duration–Frequency Relationships and Their Spatial Distribution in Catalunya, NE Spain
by María del Carmen Casas-Castillo, Alba Llabrés-Brustenga, Raül Rodríguez-Solà, Anna Rius and Àngel Redaño
Climate 2025, 13(2), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli13020037 - 8 Feb 2025
Viewed by 511
Abstract
The spatial distribution of rainfall intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) values, essential for hydrological applications, were estimated for Catalunya, Spain. From a larger database managed by the Meteorological Service of Catalunya and after rigorous quality control, 163 high-quality daily series spanning from 1942 to 2016, with [...] Read more.
The spatial distribution of rainfall intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) values, essential for hydrological applications, were estimated for Catalunya, Spain. From a larger database managed by the Meteorological Service of Catalunya and after rigorous quality control, 163 high-quality daily series spanning from 1942 to 2016, with an average length of 39.8 years and approximately one station per 200 km2, were selected. A monofractal downscaling methodology was applied to derive rainfall intensities for sub-daily durations using the intensities from a reference 24 h duration as the basis, followed by spatial interpolations on a 1 km × 1 km grid. The scaling parameter values have been found to be higher in the northwestern mountainous areas, influenced by Atlantic climate, and lower in the central–western driest zones. A general negative gradient was observed toward the coastline, reflecting the increasing influence of the Mediterranean Sea. The IDF results are presented as spatial distribution maps, providing intensity–frequency estimates for durations between one hour and one day, and return periods between 2 and 200 years, with an estimated uncertainty below 12% for the 200-year return period, and lower for shorter return periods. These findings highlight the need to capture rainfall spatial variations for urban planning, flood control, and climate resilience efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Flood Risk Assessment and Management)
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18 pages, 5713 KiB  
Article
Comparative Trend Analysis of Precipitation Indices in Several Towns of the Sirba River Catchment (Burkina Faso) from CHIRPS and TAMSAT Rainfall Estimates
by Giorgio Cannella, Alessandro Pezzoli and Maurizio Tiepolo
Climate 2024, 12(12), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12120208 - 4 Dec 2024
Viewed by 995
Abstract
The increasingly frequent pluvial flood of West African urban settlements indicates the need to investigate the drivers of local rainfall changes. However, meteorological stations are few, unevenly distributed, and work irregularly. Daily satellite rainfall datasets can be used. Nevertheless, these products often need [...] Read more.
The increasingly frequent pluvial flood of West African urban settlements indicates the need to investigate the drivers of local rainfall changes. However, meteorological stations are few, unevenly distributed, and work irregularly. Daily satellite rainfall datasets can be used. Nevertheless, these products often need to be more accurate due to sensor errors and limitations in retrieval algorithms. The problem is, therefore, how to characterize rainfall where there is a need for ground-based rainfall records or incomplete series. This study aims to characterize urban rainfall using two satellite datasets. The analysis was carried out in the Sirba river catchment, Burkina Faso, using the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) and the Tropical Applications of Meteorology using SATellite and ground-based data (TAMSAT) datasets. Ten indices from the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) of precipitation were calculated, and their statistical trends were evaluated from 1983 to 2023. The study introduces two key innovations: a comparative analysis of precipitation trends using two satellite datasets and applying this analysis to towns within a previously understudied 39,138 km2 catchment area that is frequently flooded. Both datasets agree on the increase of (i) annual cumulative rainfall over all towns, (ii) five-day maximum rainfall over the town of Manni, (iii) rainfall due to very wet days in Gayéri, (iv) days of heavy rainfall in Bogandé, Manni and Yalgho, and (v) days of very heavy rainfall in Yalgho. These findings suggest the need for targeted pluvial flood prevention measures in towns with increasing trends in heavy rainfall. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Flood Risk Assessment and Management)
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17 pages, 1550 KiB  
Article
Developing an Audit Framework for Local Flood Risk Management Strategies: Is Increasing Surface Water Flood Risk in England Being Adequately Managed?
by Andrew Russell, Adam James McCue and Aakash Dipak Patel
Climate 2024, 12(7), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12070106 - 18 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1335
Abstract
Here, we investigate whether England’s 152 local flood risk management strategies (LFRMSs) satisfy minimal legislative criteria and address the growing surface water flood (SWF) risk caused by climate change. A systematic audit was used to assess the alignment of the LFRMSs with national [...] Read more.
Here, we investigate whether England’s 152 local flood risk management strategies (LFRMSs) satisfy minimal legislative criteria and address the growing surface water flood (SWF) risk caused by climate change. A systematic audit was used to assess the alignment of the LFRMSs with national climate change legislation and other relevant national strategies. An objective method to identify inclusion of a range of factors that good strategies should include was applied. LFRMSs are mostly meeting their minimum statutory requirements. However, there is a widespread issue across most LFRMSs regarding inadequate consideration of increasing SWF risk from climate changes, which highlights the need for enhanced LFRMSs by improved planning and climate change adaptation plans. There is some evidence of good practice within the LFRMS portfolio, which is discussed in the context of the ongoing LFRMS update process. Beyond England, there are implications for developing FRM processes at a local level that can be objectively assessed against national requirements. Communities in England face inadequately managed SWF risk in the future because of the range in plan quality across the LFRMSs. This research contributes to the ongoing examination of the full suite of 152 LFRMSs and, therefore, builds towards a complete assessment of the SWF management approach in England. This will help inform local climate change adaptation strategies that cater to the escalating threat of SWF due to climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Flood Risk Assessment and Management)
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21 pages, 7895 KiB  
Article
Simulating Climatic Patterns and Their Impacts on the Food Security Stability System in Jammu, Kashmir and Adjoining Regions, India
by Aaqib Ashraf Bhat, Saurabh Kumar Gupta, Suraj Kumar Singh, Gowhar Meraj, Pankaj Kumar, Shruti Kanga, Saurabh Singh and Bhartendu Sajan
Climate 2024, 12(7), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12070099 - 7 Jul 2024
Viewed by 2318
Abstract
This study investigated the historical climate data and future projections under the SSP5-8.5 scenario for Jammu, Kashmir (J&K), and its adjoining regions in India. Agriculture is a critical economic pillar of this region, making it highly vulnerable to climate change. This study focused [...] Read more.
This study investigated the historical climate data and future projections under the SSP5-8.5 scenario for Jammu, Kashmir (J&K), and its adjoining regions in India. Agriculture is a critical economic pillar of this region, making it highly vulnerable to climate change. This study focused on temperature and precipitation trends. Statistical analysis and modeling methods, including cloud computing, were employed to predict changes and assess their impact on agricultural productivity and water resources. The results indicated that by 2100, the mean maximum and minimum temperatures are projected to increase by approximately 2.90 °C and 2.86 °C, respectively. Precipitation variability is expected to rise, with a mean increase of 2.64 × 10?6 mm per day. These changes have significant consequences for crop yield, water stress, and ecosystem dynamics. An analysis of Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) as a proxy for agricultural productivity using linear regression revealed a concerning trend. Although the total GPP of the study area remained stable over time, it declined by ?570 g yr?1 in 2010, coinciding with a 1 °C temperature rise. Projections based on the expected 3 °C temperature increase by 2100 suggest a total GPP loss of ?2500 g yr?1. These findings highlight the urgent need for proactive adaptation measures, including sustainable agricultural practices, improved water management, and enhanced socioeconomic infrastructure, to mitigate the impact of climate change and ensure long-term resilience and food security in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Flood Risk Assessment and Management)
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Review

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17 pages, 509 KiB  
Review
Two Decades of Integrated Flood Management: Status, Barriers, and Strategies
by Neil S. Grigg
Climate 2024, 12(5), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12050067 - 8 May 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 7642
Abstract
Losses from flood disasters are increasing globally due to climate-driven forces and human factors such as migration and land use changes. The risks of such floods involve multiple factors and stakeholders, and frameworks for integrated approaches have attracted a global community of experts. [...] Read more.
Losses from flood disasters are increasing globally due to climate-driven forces and human factors such as migration and land use changes. The risks of such floods involve multiple factors and stakeholders, and frameworks for integrated approaches have attracted a global community of experts. The paper reviews the knowledge base for integrated flood risk management frameworks, including more than twenty bibliometric reviews of their elements. The knowledge base illustrates how integrated strategies for the reduction of flood risk are required at different scales and involve responses ranging from climate and weather studies to the construction of infrastructure, as well as collective action for community resilience. The Integrated Flood Management framework of the Associated Programme on Flood Management of the World Meteorological Organization was developed more than twenty years ago and is explained in some detail, including how it fits within the Integrated Water Resources Management concept that is managed by the Global Water Partnership. The paper reviews the alignment of the two approaches and how they can be used in tandem to reduce flood losses. Success of both integrated management approaches depends on governance and institutional capacity as well as technological advances. The knowledge base for flood risk management indicates how technologies are advancing, while more attention must be paid to social and environmental concerns, as well as government measures to increase participation, awareness, and preparedness. Ultimately, integrated flood management will involve solutions tailored for individual situations, and implementation may be slow, such that perseverance and political commitment will be needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Flood Risk Assessment and Management)
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