Development and validation of a two-dimensional fast-response flood estimation model Page: 2 of 36
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CHAPTER 2
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A TWO-DIMENSIONAL
FAST-RESPONSE FLOOD ESTIMATION MODEL
2.1 Introduction
On average, each year about 196 million people in more than 90 countries are
exposed to catastrophic flooding, resulting in more than 170,000 deaths (UNDP 2004).
In the United States, flooding is the leading cause of disaster, accounting of nearly two-
thirds of all federal disasters and causing approximately $50 billion in property damage
in the 1990s (Downton et al. 2005). Tropical Storm Allison in June, 2001 was one of the
most damaging tropical storms, spanning thousands of square kilometers across Texas,
Louisiana, and Eastern United States, with losses exceeding $5 billion (Service
Assessment Report 2001). Although flood losses tend to fluctuate from year to year, there
has been an increasing trend over the past century (Pielke and Downtown 2000), which
has been attributed to both change in climate as well as population growth and
development in flood-prone regions (Pielke et al. 2002).
To mitigate the impacts of flooding, the United States instituted the National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to reduce flood damage and costs associated with
disaster assistance (FEMA 2006). The program aims to accomplish this with floodplain
identification and mapping, establishing guidelines and recommendations for floodplain
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Judi, David R; Mcpherson, Timothy N & Burian, Steven J. Development and validation of a two-dimensional fast-response flood estimation model, article, January 1, 2009; [New Mexico]. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc928951/m1/2/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.