Flash flooding as a threat to settlements even in remote areas

Gohar, Amir; Kondolf, G. Mathias

doi:10.1177/0956247816672158

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…Global precipitation is projected to decrease by approximately 4% for warming levels above 2 • C for all seasons in the central and southern basin [45][46][47]. In addition, precipitation extremes are projected to increase for global warming levels above 2 • C, along with an increase in flash floods [48,49].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mediterranean coastal regions correspond to about 29% of European coastal regions and cover about 33% of European coastlines [47] (Figure 1). The magnitude and impact of extreme floods vary significantly in Mediterranean areas, with differences in some sectors [48]. Usually, western areas are more prone to intense events with high impacts [49][50][51] due to oceanic climatic influences at latitudes where eastward atmospheric flows dominate [52,53], as well as the presence of reliefs close to the Western Mediterranean Area (WMA).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anthropic Constraint Dynamics in European Western Mediterranean Floodplains Related to Floods Events

Turconi,

Bono,

Faccini

et al. 2023

Remote Sensing

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Numerous riverbeds and floodplains in the Western Mediterranean Area (WMA) have been affected by anthropogenic modifications during the last centuries. In recent decades, an increase in floods in the coastal WMA has been observed. Variations in the rainfall regime and anthropisation have influenced the relevant geomorphological processes. The coastal floodplains analysed include those in Italy, France, and Spain. Geomorphological and land use changes that occurred in the last two centuries were examined using historical and recent maps, historical data, and European big data since the 1800s for 65 basins, for which over 670 flood events and more than 1300 victims were identified. Anthropogenic activities have changed the patterns of floodplains. In most cases, narrowing of the riverbeds, especially in the lower river sections, has been observed. The riverbeds have also changed from braided- to single-channel morphologies. GIS analysis shows reductions in the coastal watercourse widths ranging from 10% to 95%, with an average of 55%. Other changes are related to the deviation in the watercourses, with trends that did not respect the natural river flow. In some cases, the watercourses were covered and have vanished from recent maps. This aspect has reduced or eliminated the perception of the risk not only for the residents but also for land planners.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropic Constraint Dynamics in European Western Mediterranean Floodplains Related to Floods Events

Turconi,

Bono,

Faccini

et al. 2023

Remote Sensing

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show abstract

“…The magnitude and impact of extreme floods vary significantly over the Mediterranean region with a significative difference between the West and East parts [12]. The western part of the region is much more prone to high impact and high magnitude events [13][14][15][16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flash Flood Events along the West Mediterranean Coasts: Inundations of Urbanized Areas Conditioned by Anthropic Impacts

Faccini

Luino

Paliaga

et al. 2021

Land

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Flash floods represent one of the natural hazards that causes the greatest number of victims in the Mediterranean area. These processes occur by short and intense rainfall affecting limited areas of a few square kilometers, with rapid hydrological responses. Among the causes of the flood frequency increase in the last decades are the effects of the urban expansion in areas of fluvial pertinence and climatic change, namely the interaction between anthropogenic landforms and hydro-geomorphological dynamics. In this paper the authors show a comparison between flood events with very similar weather-hydrological characteristics and the ground effects occurred in coastal areas of three regions located at the top of a triangle in the Ligurian Sea, namely Liguria, Tuscany and Sardinia. With respect to the meteorological-hydrological hazard, it should be noted that the events analyzed occurred during autumn, in the conditions of a storm system triggered by cyclogenesis on the Genoa Gulf or by the extra-tropical cyclone Cleopatra. The “flash floods” damage recorded in the inhabited areas is due to the vulnerability of the elements at risk in the fluvio-coastal plains examined. There are numerous anthropogenic forcings that have influenced the hydro-geomorphological dynamics and that have led to an increase in risk conditions.

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The Effects of Flood Damage on Urban Road Networks in Italy: The Critical Function of Underpasses

Turconi,

Bono,

Genta

et al. 2024

Land

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The urban areas of Mediterranean Europe, and particularly Italy, have experienced considerable expansion since the late 19th century in terms of settlements, structures, and infrastructure, especially in large population centers. In such areas, the geohydrological risk is high not only for inhabited areas but also along roadways exposed to flooding. This scenario is worrying, especially in road underpass sections, where drivers are unlikely to perceive a real risk due to the high degree of confidence that comes from the habit of driving. Underpasses have been widely used to obviate the need to find shorter alternative routes and manage vehicular traffic in urban settings impeded by previous anthropogenic and natural constraints. To assess the numerical consistency, frequency, and areal distribution of flood risk around road underpasses, several hundred pieces of data were selected (mostly from international, national and local newspapers, CNR IRPI archive and local archives) and cataloged in a thematic database, referring mainly to the Italian territory. The behavioral aspects in the face of risk were also examined in order to provide a better understanding and raise awareness for preventive purposes. The results of this specific CNR research, which lasted about two years, confirm the exposure of underpasses to extreme risk events, affecting road users. In Italy alone, between 1942 and 2023, 698 underpasses were identified as having experienced a flooding event at least once. The database shows that 680 vehicles were involved in Italy, with a total of at least 812 individuals, of whom 19 died. Despite incomplete and uneven information, the findings of the analysis regarding the increment in underpasses flooding and the drivers action in front of a flooded underpass may be useful for undertaking the appropriate mitigation strategies.

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Flash flooding as a threat to settlements even in remote areas

Cited by 3 publications

References 1 publication

Anthropic Constraint Dynamics in European Western Mediterranean Floodplains Related to Floods Events

Anthropic Constraint Dynamics in European Western Mediterranean Floodplains Related to Floods Events

Flash Flood Events along the West Mediterranean Coasts: Inundations of Urbanized Areas Conditioned by Anthropic Impacts

The Effects of Flood Damage on Urban Road Networks in Italy: The Critical Function of Underpasses

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