To act closer to people needs and in real-time for flood forecasting
Description
The side event will introduce flood forecasting plans, tools and information used to broadcast flash floods and coastal flood warnings. Over 21,200 km of rivers in France, covering three-quarters of the population exposed to flood risk, are monitored by a national network for flood forecasting and hydrometry led by the Central Service for Hydrometeorology, (SCHAPI), with support from the Ministry of Sustainable Development.
Guided by the European directive and a new national policy for flood risk management, monitoring and forecasting tools are being upgraded with partners. Hydrometry teams (32 in numbers), flood forecasting centers (21 in numbers) on the mainland and hydro-meteorological centers are being set up in Corsica and overseas departments.
The side event will demonstrate how civil authorities and citizens are informed about the level of flood risk. The website, www.vigicrues.gouv.fr, received over 7.2 million connections in 2012. Information is also integrated into the meteorological early warning system using rainfall-flooding parameters and new parameters for coastal waves and flooding broadcasted by Meteo-France in partnership with the Navy, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Ministry of Interior.
The French Government has also invested in strengthening the hydro-meteorological radar network to enhance real-time rainfall estimation and new initiatives are underway to better anticipate flash floods and improve coastal risk knowledge. A specific heavy rainfall warning system (called “APIC warning”) dedicated to municipalities has been available since the end of 2011 and counts over 3200 subscriptions to date; this complements a successful service from Meteo-France that provides early warning by phone.
Presentations
-
How to act closer to people needs and in real-time for flood forecasting (11.11 MB)
Speaker: Isabelle Leleu, SCHAPI, Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy
