Methods for the estimation of loss of life due to floods: a literature review and a proposal for a new method |
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Authors: | S N Jonkman J K Vrijling A C W M Vrouwenvelder |
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Institution: | (1) Section of Hydraulic Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands;(2) Coastal and rivers division, Royal Haskoning, PO Box 8520, 3009 AM Rotterdam, The Netherlands;(3) TNO Built Environment and Geosciences, van Mourik Broekmanweg 6, 2628 XE Delft, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | This article deals with methods for the estimation of loss of life due to flooding. These methods can be used to assess the
flood risks and to identify mitigation strategies. The first part of this article contains a comprehensive review of existing
literature. Methods have been developed for different types of floods in different regions. In general these methods relate
the loss of life in the flooded area to the flood characteristics and the possibilities for evacuation and shelter. An evaluation
showed that many of the existing methods do not take into account all of the most relevant determinants of loss of life and
that they are often to a limited extent based on empirical data of historical flood events. In the second part of the article,
a new method is proposed for the estimation of loss of life caused by the flooding of low-lying areas protected by flood defences.
An estimate of the loss of life due to a flood event can be given based on: (1) information regarding the flood characteristics,
(2) an analysis of the exposed population and evacuation, and (3) an estimate of the mortality amongst the exposed population.
By analysing empirical information from historical floods, new mortality functions have been developed. These relate the mortality
amongst the exposed population to the flood characteristics. Comparison of the outcomes of the proposed method with information
from historical flood events shows that it gives an accurate approximation of the number of observed fatalities during these
events. The method is applied to assess the consequences for a large-scale flooding of the area of South Holland, in the Netherlands.
It is estimated that the analysed coastal flood scenario can lead to approximately 3,200 fatalities in this area.
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Keywords: | Loss of life Floods Mortality Models Consequences Risk assessment |
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