Load-resistance analysis: an alternative approach to tsunami damage assessment applied to the 2011 Great East Japan tsunami Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-19-1807-2019 20 August 2019 It is known that fragility functions reflect localities (building design standards and topography) and flow velocity is more important, as damage might occur before flow depth reaches its maximum value. This research demonstrates that it is possible to accurately predict building damage by considering related forces with high accuracy, including resistant force, based on building design standards. This method will be useful for damage assessment in areas that have no experience of tsunamis. Read more
Improving the understanding of flood risk in the Alsatian region by knowledge capitalization: the ORRION participative observatory Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-19-1653-2019 7 August 2019 The article presents the Alsatian regional flood risk observatory ORRION, a participative online platform on which information is shared between individuals, stakeholders, engineers, and scientists. This maximizes knowledge capitalization and contributes to building a common knowledge base for flood risk. From this information, long chronicles of floods are derived for the Rhine, and most of its main Alsatian tributaries and their main characteristics are identified and analysed. ORRION participative observatory">Read more
Flood risk in a range of spatial perspectives – from global to local scales Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-19-1319-2019 5 July 2019 Considering flood risk composed of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability from global to local scales, this paper reviews and presents increasing observed flood losses and projections of flood hazard and losses. We acknowledge existence of multiple driving factors and of considerable uncertainty, in particular with regards to projections for the future. Finally, this paper analyses options for flood risk reduction from a global framework to regional and local scales. Read more
Analysis of an extreme weather event in a hyper-arid region using WRF-Hydro coupling, station, and satellite data Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-19-1129-2019 13 June 2019 The work addresses the need for reliable precipitation forecasts in hyper-arid environments through state-of-the-art hydro-meteorological modeling. Accounting for land–atmosphere interactions in the applied model is shown to improve the accuracy of precipitation output. The chain of events controlling the soil moisture–precipitation feedback are diagnosed and verified by in situ observations and satellite data. WRF-Hydro coupling, station, and satellite data">Read more
Summertime precipitation extremes in a EURO-CORDEX 0.11° ensemble at an hourly resolution Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-19-957-2019 2 May 2019 A state-of-the-art regional climate model ensemble for Europe is investigated for extreme precipitation intensities. The models poorly reproduce short duration events of less than a few hours. Further, there is poor connection to some known hotspots for extreme cases. The model performance is much improved at 12 h durations. Projected future increases scale with seasonal mean temperature change, within a range from a few percent to over 10 percent per degree Celsius. EURO-CORDEX 0.11° ensemble at an hourly resolution">Read more
Exposure-based risk assessment and emergency management associated with the fallout of large clasts at Mount Etna Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-19-589-2019 20 March 2019 The fallout of large clasts (> 5 cm) from the margins of eruptive plumes can damage local infrastructure and severely injure people close to the volcano. Even though this potential hazard has been observed at many volcanoes, it has often been overlooked. We present the first hazard and risk assessment of large-clast fallout from eruptive plumes and use Mt Etna (Italy) as a case study. The use of dedicated shelters in the case of an explosive event that occurs with no warning is also evaluated. Read more
Field survey of Typhoon Hato (2017) and a comparison with storm surge modeling in Macau Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-18-3167-2018 29 November 2018 Typhoon Hato was one of the most damaging natural disaster events in the western Pacific region in 2017. It caused the the worst flooding in Macau since its instrumental records began in 1925. We present a high-resolution survey map recording inundation depths and distances at 278 sites in Macau. We provide a series of inundation maps under different tidal and sea levels. The maps that highlight adaptive strategies are essential in order to keep up with the pace of rising sea level. Read more
Towards risk-based flood management in highly productive paddy rice cultivation – concept development and application to the Mekong Delta Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-18-2859-2018 5 November 2018 In this study we provide an estimation of flood damages and risks to rice cultivation in the Mekong Delta. The derived modelling concept explicitly takes plant phenomenology and timing of floods in a probabilistic modelling framework into account. This results in spatially explicit flood risk maps to rice cultivation, quantified as expected annual damage. Furthermore, the changes in flood risk of two land-use scenarios were estimated and discussed. Read more
Global fatal landslide occurrence from 2004 to 2016 Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-18-2161-2018 23 August 2018 Landslides are a hazard in terrestrial environments with slopes. This paper presents global analysis on patterns of fatal landsliding between 2004 and 2016, using a database collated from media reporting. The data show ~ 56 000 people were killed in 4862 landslide events. Active landslide years coincide with patterns of regional rainfall: most landslides were rainfall triggered. For the first time, analysis shows the number of landslides triggered by human activity increased with time. Read more
Brief communication: Loss of life due to Hurricane Harvey Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-18-1073-2018 19 April 2018 An analysis was made of the loss of life directly caused by Hurricane Harvey. Information was collected for 70 fatalities that occurred directly due to the event. Most of the fatalities occurred in the greater Houston area, which was most severely affected by extreme rainfall and heavy flooding. The majority of fatalities in this area were recovered outside the designated 100- and 500-year flood zones. Most fatalities occurred due to drowning (81 %), particularly in and around vehicles. Read more
