Operational early warning systems for water-related hazards in Europe

Lorenzo Alfieri*, Peter Salamon, Florian Pappenberger, Fredrik Wetterhall, Jutta Thielen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

220 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Preparedness towards natural hazards is a key factor in the reduction of their impact on the society. Recent international initiatives are fostering the development of a culture of risk prevention and the promotion of early warning systems. Numerical weather predictions have become the basis of several flood-related warning systems, enabling the detection of hazardous events with sufficient lead-time to prepare effective emergency and response plans. The objective of this paper is to review current European operational warning systems for water-related hazards induced by severe weather conditions. In details, it includes systems for detecting surface water flooding, flash floods, debris flows, mud flows, rainfall-induced landslides, river floods and coastal floods. Technical features and capabilities of different systems are described, together with some noteworthy examples. The main strengths of each system type are highlighted and suggestions are provided for developing and further improving their overall skills in hazard detection and the mutual coordination.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)35-49
Number of pages15
JournalEnvironmental Science and Policy
Volume21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2012

Keywords

  • Culture of risk prevention
  • Numerical weather predictions
  • Operational early warning systems
  • Water-related hazards

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