Risk Mapping of Flood Hazards in New Member States

In 2003 the Joint Research Centre conducted a survey of mapping practices in eleven (11) new Member States (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) for eight (8) major natural and technological hazards such as floods, forest fires, storms, landslides, earthquakes, industrial installations, transport of dangerous goods and contaminated lands. This activity was funded as part of the project entitled “Management of Natural and Technological Risks”. One fundamental project objective was to examine the existing situation in each of the surveyed countries, and compare different mapping methodologies in order to define guidelines for establishing compatible risk mapping systems, in particular multi-hazard risk mapping. This report describes the results of the flood section of the risk mapping activity. Responses to the survey provide important information about the current status of flood hazards and risk mapping in different countries and advantages and obstacles to developing a common methodology for multi-hazard risk mapping including this hazard in each country. The mission of the JRC is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special interests, whether private or national.