Climate adaptation · water
Flood risk
Definition
Flood risk is the product of a flood hazard — the probability and characteristics (extent, depth, velocity) of flooding — and the potential adverse consequences for human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity. The EU Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) operationalises the concept by requiring member states to assess flood risk, prepare Flood Hazard Maps (areas that could be flooded) and Flood Risk Maps (potential adverse consequences), and adopt flood risk management plans in six-yearly cycles — the third cycle covering 2022–2027. Floods are Europe's most common and costly natural disaster and are becoming more frequent with climate change.
References
Directive requirements (assessment, hazard and risk maps, management plans), six-yearly cycles with third cycle 2022–2027, floods as Europe's most common and costly natural disaster
hazard definition and hydrometeorological classification including floods
Overview
What it means
Distinguishing hazard from risk keeps prevention honest: heavy rain may be unavoidable, but risk depends on what sits in the flood's path — hence the Directive's emphasis on mapping exposure and coordinating land-use, nature-based retention and emergency planning across river basins.
How it is used
Used in spatial planning, insurance, infrastructure design, climate-adaptation strategies and disaster-risk financing.
Why it matters
As climate change intensifies extremes, flood risk is the dominant water-related threat to European lives and assets; consistent definition and mapping is the basis for all mitigation investment.