e-Learning in FloodsProfessionals

e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

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PreventionIn the following you will be presented with information on:

• Description of the natural disaster.

• What to be aware of.

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CharacteristicsWhat is a flood?To be able to prevent a flood, you must be able to identify the flood. The definition of a flood can be a variety of things and the same applies to the cause. You will now find a general definition of a flood.

e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

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CharacteristicsThe definition of a flood can cover a wide spectrum as it can be everything from a flooded basement to a more permanent flood in connection with natural incidents, such as a rise in river or sea levels, tectonic subsidence or manmade structures such as flood defences which breach.

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CharacteristicsThe EU Floods DirectiveIn 2007 the EU issued the EU Floods Directive which came into force the 27th of October 2007. In the years of 1998-2002 were more than 100 extreme flooding in Central Europe, which is the reason for this directive. The flooding caused approx. 700 deaths, evacuation of half a million people and at least €25 billion in insured economic losses.

The directive is among others based on following considerations:• Flooding can cause deaths, evacuations and

damage to the environment, serious danger to the economical development and undermining of the Unions economical activities.

• Flooding is a natural phenomenon which cannot be avoided. Some human activities (such as rise in number of constructions and economical activities on the flood plains, and the limitation of the grounds water retention capacity due to land use) and climate changes, however contribute to enhance the risk of flooding and worsen the harmful effect.

• In relation to flooding is it possible and wanted to reduce the risk of negative consequences, especially to the health and lives of man, environment, cultural heritage, economical activity and infrastructure. The measures to reduce this risk should however be coordinated as far as possible in the whole river basin, to be effective enough.

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CharacteristicsDefinitionThe definition of a flood is, by the EU Floods Directive, flooding of a time limited character, where normally dry areas are covered in water.

A temporary flood is caused by a time limited increase in water influx e.g. due to cloudburst, heavy and long lasting rain, melting snow which runs into a lake, river or stream. Temporary floods in lowland terrain can also be caused by one or more combinations of flash flood incidents.

e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

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Flooding types

Flash flood Flooding from stream

Heavy rain Melting snowSource: Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency

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AssessmentAssessmentIn the assessment of flooding risk from rivers, streams, lakes and the sea you have to consider historical extreme flooding incidents, which have caused extensive damages to the health of people, environment, cultural heritage and economical activities.

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Flooding categoriesFlooding in Europe is divided into categories measures by following criteria:• The source of the flood• Geographical extent of the flooded area• Cause of the flood• Speed of the flood

The source of the flood refers to where the water comes from. That means if the water comes from the sea (coastal flooding), from streams (stream flooding), from above (flooding due to rainwater) or from below (flooding due to ground water). The source of the flood is closely connected with the geographical extent of the flooded area.

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Source of the flood

Coastal flooding Flooding due to rainwater

Flooding due to groundwater Stream flooding

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Geographical extentThe geographical extent of the flooded area refers to:• Flooding in coastal zones and in a river estuary, where the water enters in to low-lying coastal areas.• Flooding of areas along streams and rivers, where the streams or rivers overflow their banks.

Coastal zone and river estuary

Along streams and rivers

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Cause of the floodThe cause of the flood can be heavy rain, flash flood, snow thaw etc. Common to them all is that they are formed because of the weather. Flooding also can occur due to a breach in manmade protection from flooding, such as flood defences, or other structures based on keeping water out of areas.

Weather which can Breach on manmade cause floodingprotection

e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

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Speed of the floodThe speed of the flood refers to the time perspective in connection with the occurrence of the flood and can be violent and sudden, e.g. during a precipitation incident or occurrence over time, where the water accumulates over days or weeks in river catchments.

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AwarenessWhat to be aware of?Flooding is characterized by different probabilities and degrees of potential amounts of damage.Flooding in lowland coastal areas can have severe consequences such as fatalities and economic damage. The probability of disasters from flooding in coastal areas is low and the flooding can be forecast one or more days in advance as this type of flood often will be a flash flood. However the flooding can hit a large geographical area, where a large amount of people live. The evacuation of the area will be difficult due to the extreme weather before and/or during a flash flood.

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AwarenessFlash flood incidents

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AwarenessFlooding from rivers normally affects large areas of the lower catchment and can be foreseen up to several days before the incident occurs. The speed of the flooding will be low, but can nonetheless lead to severe damage.Flooding in the upper catchment, urban areas, etc., normally occurs locally after heavy precipitation incidents. This type of flooding can affect a whole region, if the weather is characterized by a big low-pressure area. The flooding can have a severe effect in densely populated areas in terms of material damages.

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AwarenessSudden severe flooding occurs in several situations, among others in mountainous terrain, and can occur very locally. This is the most common type of flooding in Europe. The consequence of this type of flooding is often catastrophic, because of the high speed of the flooding (flood surge), and the large amount of drifting material. This type of flood can lead to a large number of fatalities and severe material damage. Another, and more frequent, cause of sudden severe flooding is a cloudburst which can occur within a short time and can hit very locally, with severe damages as a result.

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Permanent solutionsThe best solution to prevent flooding is if you can identify potential risk areas and protect them so they are able to resist the danger of flooding.Flood defences, high water walls and similar measures are permanent solutions, but it isn’t always possible or appropriate to do something permanent. Maybe there is no space for it, the neighbours might be against it or the flood occurs in a way which is easier prevented in another way.Generally is it the responsibility, task and cost for the owner of a property to protect it against flooding. However some of the protection measures can be in areas regulated by the authorities or others.This is primarily a politically controlled area and therefore, as a Fire and Rescue Service, you have no influence on this.

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Permanent solutionsTo learn more:• www.klimatilpasning.dk• www.miljøstyrelsen.dk• www.stormraadet.dk• www.naturstyrelsen.dk

Source: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service

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This educational resource has been produced by the partners of the e-PPR Project (e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters) with the support of the Erasmus+ programme.

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