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Difference in area at risk of flooding in locations with different socio-economic and demographic profiles
Left: This map presents, at EU-27 member state level for 2020, the ratio of the average (mean) percentage of area potentially exposed to flooding between administrative units containing population with the highest unemployment rate (top 20% or 5th quintile) and the administrative units containing population with the lowest unemployment rate (bottom 20% or 1st quintile) in a given country. Right: This map presents, at EU-27 member state level for 2020, the ratio of the average (mean) percentage of area potentially exposed to flooding between administrative units containing population with the highest percentage of people over 65 years old (top 20% or 5th quintile) and the administrative units containing population with the lowest proportion of people over 65 years old (bottom 20% or 1st quintile) in a given country.
Wet and dry — heavy precipitation and river floods
Too much rain falling too fast can trigger floods and landslides. A tenth of Europe’s urban population is currently living in flood-risk zones (EEA, 2020: Healthy environment, healthy lives: how the environment influences health and well-being in Europe). Floods can be deadly and costly, destroying buildings, infrastructure (transport, energy, communication) and livelihoods for all in their path. Between 1980 and 2017, floods have taken some 4,300 lives and cost Europe’s economy more than €170 billion, representing nearly a third of the total damage from natural hazards (EEA, 2020: Economic losses from climate-related extremes in Europe). Whether a heavy precipitation event triggers a dangerous flood is also influenced by non-climatic factors, such as land use, changes to river basins and natural water flow characteristics (dams, changes of river beds, sealing surfaces) and urban planning.
Difference in area at risk of flooding in locations with different socio-economic and demographic profiles
Left: This map presents, at EU-27 member state level for 2020, the ratio of the average (mean) percentage of area potentially exposed to flooding between administrative units containing population with the highest unemployment rate (top 20% or 5th quintile) and the administrative units containing population with the lowest unemployment rate (bottom 20% or 1st quintile) in a given country. Right: This map presents, at EU-27 member state level for 2020, the ratio of the average (mean) percentage of area potentially exposed to flooding between administrative units containing population with the highest percentage of people over 65 years old (top 20% or 5th quintile) and the administrative units containing population with the lowest proportion of people over 65 years old (bottom 20% or 1st quintile) in a given country.
Flood events by type and mortality per year
Floodplains: a natural system to preserve and restore
Floodplains are part of Europe’s natural capital, covering 7 % of the continent's area and up to 30 % of its terrestrial Natura 2000 site area. Studies have shown that 70-90 % of floodplains have been environmentally degraded. The objective of this work is to showcase that natural floodplains support achieving multiple EU policy objectives. More specifically to show that natural and restored floodplains provide an alternative to structural measures for providing flood protection, and at the same time support achieving higher quality ecosystem service like improved water quality, improved conditions for biodiversity conservation and improved recreational value.