US Army Corps of Engineers

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Flood Risk Management ApproachesAs Being Practiced in Japan, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and United States

Ray Alexander

Deputy Chief, Office of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C.

May 24, 2012

US Army Corps of Engineers

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4 Nations’ Agencies

Explore risk-informed flood risk management approaches

Continue ongoing collaboration Learn from others’ experiences

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Flood Risk Management Approaches

Flood Risk

Probability of flood hazard

Vulnerability of individuals, society, environment

Consequences

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Country Context

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Commonalities - Challenges

Adapting to new understanding of flood risks► Climate Change► Land-use decisions and flood risk management

Communicating with the general public► Residual risk► Promoting individual and societal responsibility

Aligning planning with action► Identifying and meeting most critical risks► Ensuring social, environmental, economic,

political acceptability

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Commonalities - Approaches

Examining implications of climate change on flood hazards, vulnerabilities, consequences

Emphasizing communications and outreach

Increasing attention to environmental impacts and opportunities in flood risk management

Focusing on various aspects of cycle of emergency management

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Differences – Protection

Netherlands: specifies (risk-based) legislated level of protection

Japan: sets long-term aspirational goals for levels of protection along major rivers

United Kingdom and United States: use risk analysis informs decision-makers about options available to them

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Differences – Insurance

United States and United Kingdom: support separate flood insurance programs (provisions of the programs differ)

Japan: includes floods in comprehensive household insurance (government does not offer flood insurance)

Netherlands: government does not offer flood insurance

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Netherlands’ VNK Project

Failure Mechanisms

Levee Failure Probabilities and Consequences

Prioritizing Levee Reinforcement measures (Levee System 36)Number of Fatalities (expected value)

Levee System 36

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National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy (England)

Goal: “To ensure that the risk of flooding and coastal erosion is properly managed by using the full range of options in a co-ordinated way.”

Community focus and partnership working

A catchment and coastal ‘cell’ based approach

Sustainability Proportionate, risk-based approach Multiple benefits Beneficiaries should be encouraged

to invest in risk management

Guiding Principles:

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Japan’s Suibo Activities Activities executed by suibo-dan (local flood-

fighting team)►Normal days: preparation of flood-fighting storage,

communication tools, flood drill (265,000 mobilized in 2004)

►During flood: warning, patrol, levee protection activities (900,000 in 2011)

2005 Suibo Act to enhance ability of local communities

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Conclusion and Next Step

Collaboration resulted in ►Sept. 2011 joint report►Greater awareness and understanding►Ability to leverage events and perspectives

Continuing to engage in mutually-beneficial international partnerships►International Levee Handbook►Interchange►“Lessons learned”

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Questions?

www.iwr.usace.army.mil/docs/iwrreports/2011-R-08.pdf