The aim of this research is to provide disaster managers with the results of testing three-dimensional modeling and orthophoto mapping, so as to add value to aerial assessments of flood-related needs and damages. The relevant testing of solutions concerning the real needs of disaster managers is an essential part of the pre-disaster phase. As such, providing evidence-based results of the solutions’ performance is critical with regard to purchasing them and their successful implementation for disaster management purposes. Since disaster response is mostly realized in complex and dynamic, rather than repetitive, environments, it requires pertinent testing methods. A quasi-experimental approach, applied in a form of a full-scale trial meets disaster manager’s requirements as well as addressing limitations resulting from the disaster environment’s characteristics. Three-dimensional modeling and orthophoto mapping have already proven their potential in many professional fields; however, they have not yet been broadly tested for disaster response purposes. Therefore, the objective here is to verify the technologies regarding their applicability in aerial reconnaissance in sudden-onset disasters. The hypothesis assumes that they will improve the efficiency (e.g., time) and effectiveness (e.g., accuracy of revealed data) of this process. The research verifies that the technologies have a potential to facilitate disaster managers with more precise damage assessment; however, their effectivity was less than expected in terms of needs reconnaissance. Secondly, the overall assessment process is heavily burdened by data processing time, however, the technologies allow a reduction of analytical work.

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The European Union is strongly supporting regional integration tailored to build country resilience towards climate change driven hazards. This cooperation is developed by launching and implementation of the EU regional strategies. Poland is strongly involved in realization of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region while Hungary in EU Strategy for the Danube Region. On one hand both regions have their own problems, however, on the other they face similar challenges due to climate change phenomena. This argument encourages to learn from each other. One of the key problems related to climate change is water management, including flood management and sufficient access to fresh water. Nowadays, southern region of Europe, like Danube Region including Hungary, is being more and more tackled by limited access to fresh water. This is not the case in central and northern Europe yet. However, the problem can emerge soon in the Baltic Sea Region if the climate change will be continued. There are already first symptoms of such scenario. Therefore, the main aim of the article is to present the Danube Region and Hungarian experiences of water management in the context of climate change phenomena. The results constitute a lesson learnt from this region that can be easily adopted to the current and future challenges of the Baltic Sea Region.

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