Table 1.
Overview of characteristics of assessments at different scales
| Supra-national (global/continental) | Macro (national) | Meso (regional, province) | Micro (local, city) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution (DEM) | 1–10 km | 100 m–1 km | ∼25–100 m | ∼1–25 m |
| Hazard estimation | -Global river flood model -Surge heights (coastal) |
-Generic flood model -Aggregation of hydraulic simulations |
-Rainfal-runoff plus 2D hydraulic modelling or simplification | -2D hydraulic modelling |
| Consequence estimation | -Gridded GDP or population in flood zone | -Land use and stage-damage curves | -Land use and stage-damage curves | -Stage-damage curves for individual buildings |
| Uncertainty | -Presence of flood defences important unknown (ontological) | -Inundation modelling at course scale (ontological/epistemic) | -Failure of defences (epistemic) -Probability event (aleatory) -Damage calculation (epistemic) |
-Hydraulic modelling (epistemic) -Failure of defences (epistemic) -Probability event (aleatory) -Damage calculation (epistemic) |
| Validation | Aggregated datasets (EM-DAT, NatCatSERVICE) | Absolute totals seem overestimated | Limited to aggregate damages | Possible for recent events with well-documented damages |
| Academic application | -Assessment -Effect climate change and population growth |
-Assessment -Effect climate change and population growth |
-Effect of measures -Future developments -Uncertainty analyses |
-Effect of measures -Evaluate different strategies -Validation of methodologies |
| Societal use | -Disaster relief funds -Re-insurance -Multi-nationals |
-National insurance programme -Communication and awareness -Controlling local development |
-Prioritisation investments -Support planning -Communication and awareness |
-Evaluating specific measures -Optimise investments -Support local management and planning |