Communicating the Global Flood Hazard Risk

Abstract:

On any given day somewhere on the planet floods threaten communities, livelihoods, and individuals lives, but the location and extent of many of these events are unknown beyond the local community, region or nation. Earth observation, computational models and analysis tools, validated by dedicated flood observatories that leverage the data from earth observing satellites is changing the situation. This presentation will describe the efforts to strengthen global flood modeling and mapping at a scale that complements many of the local hydrometeorology warning and geologic river flow monitoring systems. Examples from NASA’s Earth System Science partnerships and the research and application by scientists and engineers monitoring and tracking floods will be examined. The interface between applied science for water resource management and disaster response will be described as well as progress in capacity building. Pilot projects involving collaborations among the Community of Earth Observing Satellites members will be reviewed as well as opportunities described to translate science results into application through new satellite missions over the next decade.