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Application of a model to the evaluation of flood damage

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Abstract

This paper presents the initial results of a common methodology for the evaluation of damage produced by a flood. A model has been developed for flood damage estimation based on a geographic information system (GIS). It could be used by land administration bodies and insurance companies to manage flood-related damage data. The model simulates flood scenarios and evaluates expected economic losses from the impact of floodwaters on exposed elements, through the application of a computational model elaborated by GIS. During the development of the model, the Boesio Stream, a small watercourse flowing into Lake Maggiore (Lombardy, northern Italy) which was recently affected by a flash flood, was used as case study to test and calibrate the methodology. The method could be used either as a forecasting tool to define event scenarios, utilizing data from events simulated with a hydraulic model, or for real-time damage assessment after a disaster. The approach is suitable to large-area damage assessment and could be appropriate for land use planning, civil protection and risk mitigation.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank A. Zamperone for the hydrologic–hydraulic study and D. Alexander for their suggestions and revising the English text. A particular thanks for the collaboration to Philip J. Schneider, Director of the Multihazard Loss Estimation Program, National Institute of Building Sciences, Washington DC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Italian National Research Council, Research Institute for Geo-hydrological Protection, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135, Turin, Italy

    F. Luino, C. G. Cirio, M. Biddoccu, A. Agangi, W. Giulietto, F. Godone & G. Nigrelli

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  1. F. Luino
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  2. C. G. Cirio
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  3. M. Biddoccu
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  4. A. Agangi
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  5. W. Giulietto
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  6. F. Godone
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  7. G. Nigrelli
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Correspondence to F. Luino.

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Luino, F., Cirio, C.G., Biddoccu, M. et al. Application of a model to the evaluation of flood damage. Geoinformatica 13, 339–353 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10707-008-0070-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10707-008-0070-3

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