Event analysis flood 2005

Channel shifting in the Chärstelenbachs near Bristen (Photo: Amt für Tiefbau, Kt. UR)

Distribution of the 3 day precipitation [mm] (MeteoSchweiz, 2006)

Aim of the event analysis flood 2005

With a total damage of about 3 Billion Swiss Francs, the flood of August 2005 exceeds clearly all other floods, which have occurred since 1972, where systematic
acquisition of flood detriments started. The flood caused six fatalities and led to an excessive demand of rescue workers. In Switzerland, the entire north side of the Alps between the Sarine river and the Alpenrhein was affected. The total area affected by the flood included Salzburg/Austria and South Bavaria/Germany. Events such as the flood of August 2005 provide a good opportunity for a detailed analysis of extreme natural phenomena. We examine within the framework of the event analysis flood 2005 - according to the ideas of integral risk management - natural processes, the quality of dangers basics and their realization, the effect of protection measures as well as the efficiency of predictions, warnings, alarm messages and crisis management.

Publication of results

The results are documented in three reports. The first volume gives an overview about the processes, which occurred, and the resulting damages. It analyzes the predictions of precipitationas well as of discharge and provides a first classification of events. The second report will contain an in-depth analysis of selected processes
and will be mainly dedicated to the fields of intervention, behavior and effectiveness of preventive measures as well as to dangers basics. The final concluding report will summarize the events, consequences and recommendations for future treatment of nature hazards in Switzerland for a broader audience.

Participating institutions

• Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU
• Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft WSL
• ETH Zürich und Lausanne
• MeteoSchweiz
• Private Büros
• Kantonale Fachstellen

Further links

• BAFU - Ereignisdokumentation: Hochwasser 2005
• MeteoSchweiz - Starkniederschlagsereignis Hochwasser 2005
  

Coworkers

• Christoph Hegg
• Nadine Hilker
• Anja Koschni
• Christian Rickli
• Dieter Rickenmann
• Peter Waldner

Contact

• Christoph Hegg