A transferable multicriteria flood risk assessment methodology at high spatial resolution: two case studies in Greece and Cyprus

Floods are the most frequent disasters and affect the largest number of people at a global level. In the framework of a Programming Agreement between the Prefecture of Attica and the National Observatory of Athens, a state-of-the-art methodology was developed and implemented in Greece for multicriteria-based flood risk assessment and management planning at high spatial resolution (building block level). The proposed methodology was then transferred, slightly adapted and applied in Cyprus within the framework of the EXCELSIOR project. This work integrates different data sources and modeling tools, including remote sensing, in situ measurements, field visits, decision tools and physical simulations. It is characterized by considerable added value, as it supports the relevant authorities in improving disaster resilience in many aspects, particularly on raising awareness, designing civil protection exercises, implementing flood risk mitigation measures, prioritizing short-term and long-term flood protection interventions, and making rapid responses more effective during flood events.