EU flood directive

approach and schedule

three-step approach

The Flood Directive takes a clear 3-step approach:

1. preliminary flood risk assessment
2. flood risk maps
3. flood risk management plans

• time schedule Flood Directive

preliminary flood risk assessment

Action will only have to be taken in areas where a potential significant flood risk exists, either now or in the future. Areas where those risks are not present can be identified through a preliminary flood risk assessment. For these areas, no further action has to be taken.

The preliminary flood risk assessment includes at least the following elements:

1. map of the river basin district including the borders of the river basins, subbasins and where appropriate associated coastal zones, showing topography and land use
2. description of the floods which have occurred in the past
3. description of flooding processes and their sensitivity to change, including the role of flood plain areas as a natural retention/buffer of floods and flood conveyance routes now or in the future
4. description of development plans that would entail a change of land use or of allocation of the population and distribution of economic activities resulting in an increase of flood risks in the area itself or in upstream or downstream regions
5. assessment of the likelihood of future floods based on hydrological data, types of floods and the projected impact of climate change and land use trends
6. forecast of the estimated consequences of future floods to human health, the environment and economic activity taking into account long-term developments including climate change

flood risk maps

Taking into account the possible exceptions provided for in the preliminary flood risk assessment, flood risks would be mapped for the river basins and sub-basins with significant potential risk of flooding, in order to:

• increase public awareness
• support the process of prioritising, justifying and targeting investments and developing sustainable policies and strategies
• support flood risk management plans, spatial planning and emergency plans.

If maps conforming to the requirements of the directive already exist for river basin and stretches of coast line, Member States may use these existing maps for the purposes of satisfying the directive.

The flood maps shall cover the geographical areas which could be flooded according to the following scenarios:

• floods with a high probability (likely return period once in every 10 years)
• floods with a medium probability (likely return period once in every 100 years)
• floods with a low probability (extreme events)

For each scenario the following elements shall be shown:

• projected water depths
• the flow velocity, where appropriate
• areas which could be subject to bank erosion and debris flow deposition

The indicative flood damage maps shall show the potential damage associated with floods under the scenarios and expressed in terms of the following:

• the number of inhabitants potentially affected
• potential economic damage in the area
• potential damage to the environment

flood risk management plans

Taking into account the possible exceptions provided for in the preliminary flood risk assessment, flood risk management plans will have to be developed and implemented at river basin/sub-basin level to reduce and manage the flood risk. These plans would include the analysis and assessment of flood risk, the definition of the level of protection, and identification and implementation of sustainable measures applying the principle of solidarity: not passing on problems to upstream or downstream regions and preferably contributing to reduction of flood risks in upstream and downstream regions.

December 22, 2018 and every six years thereafter

December 22, 2019 and every six years thereafter

December 22, 2021 and every six years thereafter

more

• background and objectives of directive
• approach and schedule of directive
• Deltares support and assistance to EU Member States
• interesting links
• contact