Use of radar rainfall estimates and forecasts to prevent flash flood in real time by using a road inundation warning system

摘要: Important damages occur in small headwater catchments when they are hit by severe storms with complex spatio-temporal structure, sometimes resulting flash floods. As these mostly not covered sensor networks, it is difficult to forecast This particularly true for road submersions, representing major concerns flood event managers. The use of Quantitative Precipitation Estimates and Forecasts (QPE/QPF) especially based on radar measurements could be adequate evaluate rainfall-induced risks. Although their characteristic time space scales would make them suitable modelling, the impact uncertainties remain uncertain have evaluated. The Gard region (France) has been chosen as case study. area frequently affected floods, an application devoted network also recently developed North part this region. warning system combines distributed hydro-meteorological modelling susceptibility analysis provide warnings inundations. tested specific storm 29-30 September 2007. During event, around 200 mm dropped South many roads were submerged. Radar-based QPE QPF used exact location submersions results compared effective actually occurred during listed emergency services. Used calibrated, confirm that submersion represents a promising tool anticipating quantifying consequences events at ground. It rates risk acceptable level accuracy demonstrates quality high spatial temporal resolution rainfall data real time, possibility despite uncertainties. However because forecasts falls drastically often sufficient valuable information lead times exceeding one hour.