Flood Risk Management Training Course

Participants can specify and assess the data needed for a credible flood risk study.

• Catchment delineation using digital elevation models and drainage networks
• Rainfall intensity-duration-frequency curves selected for design-storm estimation at specified return periods
• Gauge records checked for gaps, outliers, consistency and station changes
• Land-use and soil data converted into runoff parameters
• Climate projections interpreted using scenario, time-horizon and uncertainty conventions
• Data quality register documenting provenance, resolution, limitations and update cycles

Participants can interpret rainfall-runoff methods, assumptions and uncertainty for flood estimation.

• Design storms constructed from hyetographs, duration selection and temporal patterns
• Rational Method assumptions, parameters and limits for small urban catchments
• SCS Curve Number method calibrated against observed rainfall-runoff response
• Hydrograph routing through channels, storage areas and urban drainage systems
• Sensitivity analysis for rainfall depth, roughness, infiltration and antecedent moisture
• Model assumptions recorded within an auditable hydrological modelling note

Participants can review hydraulic model inputs and interpret flood hazard outputs for decision-making.

• One-dimensional and two-dimensional hydraulic model purposes and selection criteria
• HEC-RAS inputs: terrain, cross-sections, structures, roughness and boundary conditions
• Manning's n values assigned using channel and floodplain surface evidence
• Bridge, culvert and weir representation checked for conveyance constraints
• Calibration and validation against observed levels, extents and flow records
• Inundation outputs reviewed for depth, velocity, duration and hazard

Participants can estimate and classify flood risk using hazard, exposure and vulnerability information.

• Flood hazard maps classified by depth, velocity, duration and arrival time
• Exposure inventories assembled for people, buildings, infrastructure and critical services
• Vulnerability functions estimate direct damage and service disruption losses
• Risk matrices distinguish intolerable, tolerable and broadly acceptable flood risks
• Probabilistic loss estimates expressed as annual average loss and exceedance curves
• Social vulnerability indicators reveal unequal consequences and recovery capacity

Participants can communicate flood risk evidence, uncertainty and treatment priorities to decision-makers.

• GIS layers combined to produce flood extent, hazard and risk maps
• Map scales, symbology and classification selected for decision-maker audiences
• Critical infrastructure dependencies mapped for hospitals, power, water and transport
• Residual risk communicated through assumptions, uncertainty ranges and map limitations
• Risk registers connect flood scenarios, controls, owners and treatment actions
• Briefing notes present risk evidence, options, costs and decision requests

Participants can compare flood risk reduction measures and select proportionate treatment pathways.

• Flood-risk treatment hierarchy: avoid, reduce, transfer, prepare and recover
• Structural measures assessed: detention basins, levees, diversions and property protection
• Nature-based solutions evaluated for attenuation, maintenance, land and co-benefits
• Land-use planning controls restrict development within defined flood hazard zones
• Option appraisal compares lifecycle cost, residual risk, feasibility and equity
• Adaptation pathways sequence measures against trigger points and future uncertainty

Participants can design flood preparedness arrangements linked to forecast impacts and decision thresholds.

• Impact-based forecasting links flood thresholds to expected consequences and actions
• Early warning system components: monitoring, forecasting, communication and response
• Warning messages specify hazard, location, timing, protective action and source
• Emergency operations centre arrangements define roles, escalation and information flow
• Evacuation planning accounts for routes, shelters, transport and vulnerable groups
• Tabletop scenario injects test decision thresholds, communications and resource deployment

Participants can establish governance, funding and accountability arrangements for flood risk programmes.

• Sendai Framework priorities applied to local flood-risk governance arrangements
• ISO 31000 risk process integrated with flood management decisions
• Roles mapped across water agencies, municipalities, emergency services and communities
• Benefit-cost analysis values avoided damages, maintenance and distributional effects
• Funding cases distinguish capital expenditure, operating costs and contingency reserves
• Procurement specifications set performance requirements, monitoring and maintenance responsibilities

Participants can prepare recovery priorities and a practical action plan for their flood risk context.

• Post-flood damage and needs assessment distinguishes relief, recovery and reconstruction
• Build Back Better principles incorporated into resilient recovery decisions
• Recovery indicators track housing, services, livelihoods and risk-reduction progress
• After-action reviews identify control failures, successful actions and corrective measures
• Flood management action plan assigns priorities, owners, milestones and resources
• Personal application commitments link course methods to current flood-risk decisions