LOCAL NATURAL HAZARDS ADVISORS FOR CIVIL STAFF UNITS

One of the most important gaps revealed by the analysis of the flood of august 2005 in Switzerland is the disposability of local natural hazards expertise to cope and manage such events. The large-scale and long lasting flood affected 900 out of 2’700 Swiss municipalities, claimed the lives of 6 people and caused total damages of 3 billion Swiss Francs. The event showed the limitations of the actual system, based primarily on the support by Federal and Cantonal Services responsible for natural hazards. The personal means of these services were not sufficient to assure consulting and support for all municipalities concerned immediately before, during and immediately after the event (DETEC 2008).