Global Flood Hazard Frequency, Distribution, and Risks, 1985-2003

This data set is part of the Natural Disaster Hotspots Collection of global geospatial data of six major natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, floods, drought, and cyclones). It provides a 2.5 minute grid derived from a global listing of extreme flood events between 1985 and 2003 (poor or missing data in the early/mid 1990s) compiled by Dartmouth Flood Observatory and geo-referenced to the nearest degree. The resultant flood frequency grid was then classified into 10 classes of approximately equal number of grid cells. The greater the grid cell value in the final data set, the higher the relative frequency of flood occurrence. Also included are 2.5 minute grids representing the associated risks of mortality and economic loss from these hazards. Risk levels are estimated by combining hazard exposure with historical vulnerability for two indicators of elements at risk (gridded population and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per unit area) for each of the six natural disaster hazards. The risk levels are conveyed at sub-national scales and can be used to inform a range of disaster prevention and preparedness measures, including prioritization of resources, targeting of more localized and detailed risk assessments, implementation of risk-based disaster management and emergency response strategies, and development of long-term land-use plans and multi-hazard risk management strategies.