Flood Warning, Forecasting and Emergency Response (eBook)

The author K. Sene has wide practical experience in the implementation of operational flood warning and forecasting systems, together with research experience in hydrology, meteorology and information systems. He has also played a leading role in developing several best practice guidelines on flood forecasting techniques for use by engineers and policy makers.

Preface 5
Acknowledgements 7
Contents 9
Introduction 13
1.1 The Flood Warning Process 13
1.2 The Nature of Flood Risk 20
1.3 Emergency Response 25
1.4 The Role of Flood Forecasting 27
Part I Flood Warning 31
Detection 33
2.1 Meteorological Conditions 33
2.2 River and Coastal Conditions 48
2.3 Instrumentation Networks 56
Thresholds 63
3.1 Rainfall Thresholds 63
3.2 River and Coastal Thresholds 68
3.3 Performance Monitoring 79
Dissemination 83
4.1 Flood Warning Procedures 83
4.2 Dissemination Techniques 91
4.3 Design and Implementation 99
Part II Flood Forecasting 103
General Principles 105
5.1 Model Design Considerations 105
5.2 Forecasting Systems 109
5.3 Data Assimilation 116
5.4 Model Calibration and Performance 120
5.5 Model Uncertainty 126
Rivers 135
6.1 Model Design 135
6.2 Rainfall Runoff Models 144
6.3 River Channel Models 153
Coasts 161
7.1 Model Design Issues 161
7.2 Process-Based Models 168
7.3 Data-Based Methods 181
Selected Applications 187
8.1 Integrated Catchment Models 187
8.2 Flash Flood Forecasting 193
8.3 Snow and Ice 197
8.4 Control Structures 202
8.5 Urban Drainage 211
8.6 Geotechnical Risks 214
Part III Emergency Response 219
Preparedness 221
9.1 Flood Emergency Planning 221
9.2 Resilience 232
9.3 Role of Information Technology 238
Response 243
10.1 Flood Event Management 243
10.2 Decision Support Systems 249
10.3 Dealing with Uncertainty 256
Review 261
11.1 Performance Monitoring 261
11.2 Performance Improvements 265
11.3 Prioritising Investment 272
Glossary 279
References 287
Chapter 1 Introduction 287
Chapter 2 Detection 289
Chapter 3 Thresholds 292
Chapter 4 Dissemination 293
Chapter 5 General Principles 294
Chapter 6 Rivers 297
Chapter 7 Coasts 300
Chapter 8 Selected Applications 302
Chapter 9 Preparedness 305
Chapter 10 Response 306
Chapter 11 Review 308
Glossary 310
Index 311