Europe’s flood management: Navigating with data
Publication Date/Time
2023-11-16T16:30:00+00:00
Exploring key datasets and insights for flood monitoring
At the heart of flood risk assessment and management in the European
Union is Directive 2007/60/EC
[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32007L0060],
which acknowledges the impact of human activities and climate change
on the increasing severity of floods. This legislation strives to
mitigate the adverse consequences of flooding through tailored
solutions, regional cooperation and the development of comprehensive
flood hazard maps. The European Commission further underscores the
urgency of addressing these issues with the priorities set in the
European Green Deal
[https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en].

Recent heavy precipitation events in Italy and Slovenia and
Mediterranean Storm Daniel serve as reminders of the mounting
challenges of flooding. Early in September, Storm Daniel formed in the
Mediterranean Sea and hit Greece, Bulgaria, Egypt, Israel and Libya.
It was the deadliest Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone
[https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/libya-floods-eu-mobilises-emergency-assistance-its-civil-protection-mechanism-2023-09-13_en]
in recorded history.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
[https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/chapter/chapter-11/] (a United
Nations panel of scientists that study climate change),
‘Human-induced greenhouse gas emissions have led to an increased
frequency and/or intensity of some weather and climate extremes since
pre-industrial time’. At the same time, one of the reports
[https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/chapter/chapter-11/%22%20/h%20HYPERLINK%20%22https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/chapter/chapter-11/]
states, ‘Even relatively small incremental increases in global
warming (+ 0.5 °C) cause statistically significant changes in
extremes on the global scale and for large regions. In particular,
this is the case for temperature extremes, the intensification of
heavy precipitation including that associated with tropical
cyclones’. 

This article delves into the pivotal role of data in flood management,
covering risk assessment, preparation for future events and
understanding past floods.

 

THE ROLE OF DATA IN MANAGING FLOODS 

Data forms the backbone of flood risk and damage assessment. Services
such as the Copernicus Emergency Management Service
[https://emergency.copernicus.eu/] provide access to a wealth of Earth
observation data, including satellite imagery and remote sensing,
which can be harnessed to rapidly assess flood damage. 

The integration of real-time data from various sources, including
weather stations, river gauges and remote sensing technologies, allows
us to predict and prepare for impending flood events. Early warning
systems, based on this data, can trigger timely evacuations, secure
critical infrastructure and facilitate resource allocation, ultimately
saving lives and reducing the social and economic impact of floods. 

By analysing historical flood data, we gain valuable insights into the
patterns, frequency and severity of floods in a region. This
information helps to identify flood-prone areas, enabling authorities
to make informed decisions about land-use planning and infrastructure
development. Historical flood data also offers critical lessons in
understanding and learning from past flood events. By studying how
past communities coped with floods and the subsequent recovery
processes, we can refine disaster management strategies and improve
preparedness. 

 

USING COPERNICUS DATA TO ASSESS FLOOD DAMAGE 

One way to monitor the consequences of those events is through the
satellite data provided by the Copernicus Emergency Management Service
[https://emergency.copernicus.eu/%22%20/h%20HYPERLINK%20%22https://emergency.copernicus.eu/],
which offers geospatial information within a few hours or days’
notice, along with risk and recovery mapping and early damage
estimates. 

Information from Copernicus, as provided by the program’s
satellites, falls under the orthoimagery theme
[https://inspire.ec.europa.eu/Themes/124/2892] of the infrastructure
for spatial information in Europe directive (Inspire). This theme
encompasses georeferenced image data of the Earth’s surface,
gathered from either satellite or airborne sensors. The data is also
part of the high-value datasets
[https://inspire.ec.europa.eu/inspire-directive/2]covered in previous
data stories
[https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/datastories/high-value-datasets-overview-through-visualisation].
High-value datasets are a group of datasets defined by EU law based on
their potential to provide essential benefits to society, the
environment and the economy. 

As the following visualisation shows, the Copernicus Emergency
Management Service was activated for major flood events in Italy
[https://rapidmapping.emergency.copernicus.eu/EMSR664/download] and
Greece [https://rapidmapping.emergency.copernicus.eu/EMSR692/download]
in 2023. The mapping capabilities are not limited to EU territory, and
when deemed appropriate they can be used to monitor other areas too,
as was the case for Storm Daniel in Libya
[https://rapidmapping.emergency.copernicus.eu/EMSR696/download%22%20/h%20HYPERLINK%20%22https://rapidmapping.emergency.copernicus.eu/EMSR696/download].
The visualisation highlights the estimated damage to the area’s
transportation system and land use, and the number of people affected
by the flood events in that area.
[https://data.europa.eu/sites/default/files/img/media/11.floods5-01.png]
 

MAPPING AREAS AT RISK OF FLOODING IN EUROPE 

To map flood risks at the European level, it is possible to use data
provided by the European Environment Agency
[https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/datahub/datahubitem-view/254a8583-e34f-4324-bbdf-1fbda7a3d222]
(EEA). This kind of information enables efficient disaster
preparedness and response, allowing authorities to allocate resources
and plan evacuation strategies effectively. Such data aids in the
development of flood risk assessment and management strategies, which
are crucial for minimising the impact of floods on communities,
infrastructure and the economy. What’s more, Europe-wide flood data
promotes cross-border cooperation and information sharing, which is
essential in a region where rivers often flow through multiple
countries. Additionally, it supports climate adaptation efforts by
providing a comprehensive understanding of changing flood patterns in
the face of climate change. 

The following visualisation explores flood risk data in Europe.
According to the EEA, the data ‘delineates the area that is flooded
once every 100 years, i.e. the probability of flooding is 1 %
assuming that flooding is unrestricted. The potential flood prone area
is comprised of the river channel and floodplain’.
[https://data.europa.eu/sites/default/files/img/media/11.floods5-02.png]
 

REAL-TIME DATA ON WATER LEVELS

Continuous recordings of water levels from hydrometric stations serve
as a critical basis for flood understanding and management. These
measurements are consistently collected by equipped monitoring
stations, such as those in the hydrometric network of the Office of
Public Works in Ireland
[https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/4cd8c7-hydrometric-and-hydrological-data/%22%20/h%20HYPERLINK%20%22https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/4cd8c7-hydrometric-and-hydrological-data/],
and offer an accurate and complete dataset
[http://data.europa.eu/88u/dataset/e8257886-a726-47da-9796-94c9912dddb3]. 

This information is indispensable for flood prediction and management
as it allows authorities to track river and water body behaviour in
real time. It also aids in assessing drought conditions, managing
water resources and ensuring the safety of infrastructure such as
bridges and dams. Real-time water level data is invaluable for early
warning systems, helping to protect communities and reduce the risks
associated with extreme weather events and changing hydrological
conditions. Furthermore, the availability of daily, weekly and monthly
files allows for trend analysis and long-term planning, making it an
essential tool for effective water resource management. 

The following visualisation shows water levels recorded every
15 minutes by four monitoring stations (Sandy Mills, Ballybofey,
Glaslough and Cappog Bridge) along with their positions. Some of those
stations have been monitoring water levels for decades, which also
appears in the visualisation. In addition to water level information,
Irish authorities make available data about the monitoring stations
[https://waterlevel.ie/geojson/], including their exact locations, in
a JSON file. 

The monitoring stations mentioned are components of an expansive
network dedicated to flood monitoring. This extensive infrastructure
is not unique to any single country. Many nations maintain a broad
array of these stations, strategically placed in various locations
such as seas and rivers.
[https://data.europa.eu/sites/default/files/img/media/11.floods5-03.png]
 

USING DATA.EUROPA.EU FOR HISTORICAL RESEARCH ABOUT FLOODS 

Historical flood data can provide critical insights into past events.
On 23 June 1875, the Garonne River, a major waterway in southwestern
France, flooded the city of Toulouse
[https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crue_de_la_Garonne_en_1875]. The
disaster resulted in extensive damage, including the ruin of around
1 400 homes and the collapse of all the city’s bridges, save for
one. 

In the aftermath of the 1875 Toulouse flood, significant changes were
made to the city’s building regulations to mitigate the impact of
future floods. Construction or reconstruction permits would only be
granted under specific conditions aimed at enhancing the structural
integrity of the buildings. 

The data.europa.eu portal supports research into this event, offering
a dataset
[https://data.europa.eu/data/datasets/56b0c2d9a3a7294d38b88a6e?locale=en]
that includes information such as the geographical coordinates of
areas hit by the flood, their addresses and links to historical images
of the event. 

The following visualisation depicts the areas most affected by the
1875 Toulouse flood, along with historical photos showcasing the
damage at selected sites.
[https://data.europa.eu/sites/default/files/img/media/11.floods5-04.png]
 

EXPLORING ADDITIONAL FLOOD DATA SOURCES 

In addition to data.europa.eu datasets on flooding
[https://data.europa.eu/data/datasets?query=flood&locale=en], numerous
other websites from official EU bodies offer valuable resources for
flood-related information: 

 	*
The hydrography section of the 'Inspire' geoportal
[https://inspire.ec.europa.eu/Themes/116/2892%22%20/h%20HYPERLINK%20%22https://inspire.ec.europa.eu/Themes/116/2892]:
houses many datasets concerning floods for several EU Member States; 

 	*
European Environment Agency
[https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/advanced-search?q=flood&size=n_10_n&filters%5B0%5D%5Bfield%5D=readingTime&filters%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=any&filters%5B0%5D%5Bvalues%5D%5B0%5D%5Bname%5D=All&filters%5B0%5D%5Bvalues%5D%5B0%5D%5BrangeType%5D=fixed&filters%5B1%5D%5Bfield%5D=issued.date&filters%5B1%5D%5Btype%5D=any&filters%5B1%5D%5Bvalues%5D%5B0%5D=Last%205%20years&filters%5B2%5D%5Bfield%5D=language&filters%5B2%5D%5Btype%5D=any&filters%5B2%5D%5Bvalues%5D%5B0%5D=en]:
provides news, indicators and data about floods, such as the river
flood index
[https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/metadata/indicators/river-flood%22%20/h%20HYPERLINK%20%22https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/metadata/indicators/river-flood],
which is ‘relevant to hydrological applications, transport, and
disaster risk management’ and is ‘based on 50-year flood
recurrence values based on maximum river discharge values for the
50-year return period’; 

 	*
The European Flood Awareness System [https:/www.efas.eu/en]: supports
preparatory measures before major flood events strike, particularly in
large transnational river basins and throughout Europe in general, and
offers a live map of flood events
[https://www.efas.eu/efas_frontend/#/home] and data access to some of
its services [https://www.efas.eu/en/data-access]; 

 	*
Joint Research Centre
[https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/scientific-activities-z/natural-and-man-made-hazards-0/floods_en]:
includes work concerning preparedness (early warning, monitoring and
prevention measures) and response to floods; 

 	*
European Climate and Health Observatory
[https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/]: offers several indicators
about climate change and its impact on people, including an estimate
of fatalities associated with floods since 1980
[https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/observatory/evidence/health-effects/flooding/flooding]; 

 	*
The Copernicus Emergency Management Service
[https://emergency.copernicus.eu/mapping/list-of-activations-rapid]:
also covers earthquakes, fires and other humanitarian crises. 

 

METHODOLOGICAL NOTES 

The areas presented in the first visualisation were selected among the
largest floods that have occurred since the spring of 2023. For each
flood event, the three cities with the largest affected populations
were chosen. Due to the ongoing civil war in Libya, information about
its cities serves only as a rough estimate. 

 

Download the data visualisations presented in this article
[https://gitlab.com/dataeuropa/data-provider-repository/-/blob/master/Data%20stories/Data%20stories/Floods/Floods-data-visualisations-png.zip] and the
data behind them
[https://gitlab.com/dataeuropa/data-provider-repository/-/blob/master/Data%20stories/Data%20stories/Floods/Data-Floods-data-story-16-11-2023.xlsx].

 

_Article by Davide Mancino _

_Data visualisations by Federica Fragapane_
