Floods can have a devastating impact on life, property and economic resources. However, the systematic collection of damage data in the aftermath of flood events can contribute to future risk mitigation. Such data can support a variety of actions including the identification of priorities for intervention during emergencies, the creation of complete event scenarios to tailor risk mitigation strategies, the definition of victim compensation schemes, and the validation of damage models to feed cost-benefit analysis of mitigation actions. Volume highlights include: Compilation of real world case studies elaborating on the survey experiences and best practices associated with flood damage data collection, storage and analysis, that can help strategize flood risk mitigation in an efficient manner Coverage of different flooding phenomena such as riverine and mountain floods, spatial analysis from local to global scales, and stakeholder perspectives, e.g. public decision makers, researchers, private companies Contributions from leading experts in the field, researchers and practitioners, including civil protection actors working at different spatial and administrative level, insurers, and professionals working in the field of natural hazard risks mitigation Flood Damage Survey and Assessment: New Insights from Research and Practice will be a valuable resource for earth scientists, hydrologists, meteorologists, geologists, geographers, civil engineers, insurers, policy makers, and planners. Read an interview with the editors to find out more: https://eos.org/editors-vox/the-value-of-disaster-damage-data

Floods are natural hazards whose effects can deeply affect the economic and environmental equilibria of a region. Quality of life of people living in areas close to rivers depends on both the risk that a flood would occur and the reliability of flood forecast, warning and control systems. Tools for forecasting and mitigating floods have been developed through research in the recent past. Two innovations currently influence flood hazard mitigation, after many decades of lack of significant progress: they are the development of new technologies for real-time flood forecast and warning (based on weather radars and satellites) and a shift from structural to non-structural flood control measures, due to increased awareness of the importance of protecting the environment and the adverse impacts of hydraulic works on it. This book is a review of research progress booked in the improvements of forecast capability and the control of floods. Mostly the book presents the results of recent research in hydrology, modern techniques of real-time forecast and warning, and ways of controlling floods for smaller impacts on the environment. A number of case studies of floods in different geographical areas are also presented. Scientists and specialists working in fields of hydrology, environmental protection and hydraulic engineering will appreciate this book for its theoretical and practical content.

In recent years, a considerable volume of technical literature has been published on flood hazard analysis, and more recently, on flood vulnerability and resilience. Nevertheless, there is still a shortage of scientific studies and practical experience of real flood risk assessment (both social and economic), including hazard, exposure and vulnerability analyses and their integration. As there are so few references available, applications of flood risk assessment to the design of preventive measures and early warning systems, landscape and urban planning, civil protection, insurance systems, and risk-based information and education, cannot reach their full potential development. This is because the research products available, such as hazard data and maps, do not serve to ensure the efficient prioritization of mitigation measures or communities at risk. Meanwhile, flooding is the natural disaster that causes the greatest loss on a global scale, and due to climate change, this situation is expected to continue. The research manuscripts involved in this book try to offer flood risk managers new tools, data and maps to improve risk mitigation, both preventive and corrective. A wide variety of topics have been covered, including: flood risk data sources; techniques and methodologies for flood risk analysis; flood risk mapping; or flood risk analysis calibrations.