Additional tools
The EU Floods Directive
What
is flood risk management ?
Flood risk management aims to reduce the likelihood and/or
the impact of floods. Experience has shown that the most effective
approach is through the development of flood risk management
programmes incorporating the following elements:
- Prevention: preventing damage caused by floods
by avoiding construction of houses and industries in present
and future flood-prone areas; by adapting future developments
to the risk of flooding; and by promoting appropriate land-use,
agricultural and forestry practices;
- Protection: taking measures, both structural and
non-structural, to reduce the likelihood of floods and/or
the impact of floods in a specific location;
- Preparedness: informing the population about flood
risks and what to do in the event of a flood;
- Emergency response: developing emergency response
plans in the case of a flood;
- Recovery and lessons learned: returning to normal
conditions as soon as possible and mitigating both the social
and economic impacts on the affected population.
Source : COM(2004) 472
final of 12.7.2004.
Flood risk management is an integral part of integrated river
basin management, and the Floods Directive shall therefore
be coordinated with the Water
Framework Directive.
Civil protection is also a crucial component of flood risk management.