“Between 2003 and 2005, 96% of all flood-related casualties and economic losses were attributed to flash floods. In most countries, there is need for operational capacities for flash flood warnings linked to emergency preparedness and response mechanisms to reduce these impacts on those at risk."
- Dr. Maryam Golnaraghi, Chief of Natural Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Programme,
World Meteorological Organization
About The Project
Flash floods kill an average of 5,000 people per year around the world, more than any other natural disaster - impeding economic development. Extreme floods affect 500 million people per year. The 2007-2008 flood season was no exception as floods claimed thousands of lives. Flash floods ravaged every continent in 2007 and 2008 claiming lives in high latitude regions and the tropics, in the developing world and even several industrialized nations (including the U.S.), affecting the lives of people from every race, religion, and economic disposition. Flash floods are among the worst natural disasters in terms of human lives lost and property damaged worldwide and they have the highest mortality rate (people dead/people affected) among natural disasters. And global warming will only exacerbate this problem in many areas of the world with expected increases in rainfall intensity and flash flooding worldwide. Yet, most countries still lack the capability to recognize, evaluate and predict flash flooding, issue flood warnings, and coordinate disaster response. While developing countries suffer the most due to lack of resources, even developed countries have limited flash flood forecast capability in rural and mountainous areas.
2008 Pretoria, South Africa WorkshopHRC has developed an approach to address flash floods on a global scale. Doing so allows the program to be done more cost-effectively and is more sustainable. HRC is approaching this project as an end-to-end system that provides the data and information, analyses, communications and protocols to provide accurate and timely warnings for flash floods. Important technical elements of the system include the use of satellites for estimates of precipitation and available global data bases for identifying specific terrain, soil, land-cover and stream characteristics. Not only does HRC program provide for the ability to detect and predict flash floods but also to develop and disseminate warnings in a timely manner to populations at risk.
The HRC system has been proven to be successful. Regional elements of the global system have been implemented in Central America and implementations are underway in Southeast Asia, Romania, and the Republic of South Africa. Regional implementations are expected to begin in Southern Africa and the Middle East in 2009 using public donor funds.
Donations And Funding
We are in the process of seeking additional donors for the remainder of the required funding to fully implement the program globally.
DetailsCurrent News
- HRC announces signing of an international agreement to help warn for flash floods around the world. more >
HRC Outreach
During 2008 Dr. Eylon Shamir of HRC volunteered his services with the “Water Initiative” program at the Elementary Institute of Science in San Diego. The Institute is a non-profit science and technology learning center for youth of various ages. The Water Initiative is an educational program that is geared for ages 13-15 in which the participants study and develop projects related to local water issues. Dr. Shamir gave a presentation on water conservation issues in San Diego and he also mentored a group of students in the creation of a pamphlet and a presentation that addresses past, present, and future availability of water resources in the San Diego region as well as an evaluation of various conservation measures.
Contact Information
Hydrologic Research Center Attention: Mr. Robert Jubach
12780 High Bluff Dr, Ste 250
San Diego, CA 92130
(858) 794-2726
RJubach@hrc-lab.org