Case study: Palma Airport Flood and the importance of flood monitoring schemes

The recent flash flood event at Palma airport highlights the importance of flood monitoring and management in several ways. Firstly, it underscores the need for effective flood risk planning and management tools to mitigate the impact of such catastrophic events. The event, which occurred on Tuesday the 11th of June, lead to the airport being shut down and flights cancelled alongside the risk that occurs during the flooding of a building with scared citizens.

It is imperative that areas which are flood prone have the correct flood response procedures in place when these happen and also from a start point it highlights the dangers of building on an area prone to flooding. I thought it would be good to take into account the following areas for the future and apply them to the airport to help minimise future risk. Below are some of the key areas that a hydrologist or flood management expert would look at. These are generalised but hopefully will help gain the understanding of how much is involved in flood prevention and protection.

Effective Flood Risk Planning and Management

Effective flood risk planning and management involve several key components, including flood risk assessments, flood mapping, and flood risk mitigation measures. Flood risk assessments involve identifying areas prone to flooding and assessing the potential impact of flooding on these areas. Flood mapping involves creating detailed maps of flood-prone areas, which can help identify areas that require flood mitigation measures. Flood risk mitigation measures include structural and non-structural measures such as flood defenses, flood-control reservoirs, and flood warning systems.

In the case of the Palma airport flood, the lack of effective flood risk planning and management measures contributed to the severity of the disaster. The airport is located in a flood-prone area, and the event highlighted the need for more robust flood risk management measures to mitigate the impact of such events. Implementing effective flood risk planning and management measures can help reduce the risk of flooding and minimize the impact of catastrophic events.

Hydrogeomorphological Analysis and Modelling

Hydrogeomorphological analysis and modelling are critical components of flood risk management. Hydrogeomorphological analysis involves studying the interactions between hydrological and geomorphological processes that drive flood events. This includes analyzing the impact of rainfall intensity, land use/cover, and geomorphological features on flood risk. Modelling involves using computer simulations to predict the likelihood and impact of flood events based on these analyses.

The study of the Sant Llorenç des Cardassar flash-flood event, which occurred on the same day, demonstrates the value of integrating meteorological, hydrological, geomorphological, damage, and risk data to develop a comprehensive understanding of these events. This integrated approach can help identify the key factors that contribute to the severity of flash floods, such as rainfall intensity, karstic features, and land use/cover.

Early Warning Systems

Early warning systems are critical components of flood risk management. Early warning systems involve monitoring weather and hydrological conditions and providing timely warnings to the population and emergency responders. This can help reduce the risk of casualties and damage by enabling effective emergency responses.

The lack of early warning systems and efficient action protocols in the Balearic Islands contributed to the severity of the Palma airport flood. Implementing early warning systems and efficient action protocols can help reduce the risk of flooding and minimize the impact of catastrophic events.

Continuous Adaptation to Global Change Scenarios

The increasing frequency and intensity of flash floods in the Mediterranean region due to climate change highlight the need for continuous improvement of flood risk management tools and strategies. This includes modifying hydrological and flood risk models to account for the projected changes in rainfall patterns and implementing adaptive and resilient measures to mitigate the impact of these events.

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including flash floods. Therefore, flood risk management strategies must be designed to adapt to these changing scenarios. This includes implementing measures that can help reduce the risk of flooding, such as flood-control reservoirs, flood defenses, and flood warning systems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the recent flash flood event at Palma airport underscores the importance of flood monitoring and management in reducing the risk of flooding and minimizing the impact of catastrophic events. Effective flood risk planning and management tools, hydrogeomorphological analysis and modelling, early warning systems, and continuous adaptation to global change scenarios are all crucial components of a comprehensive flood risk management strategy.

Implementing effective flood risk planning and management measures can help reduce the risk of flooding and minimize the impact of catastrophic events. Hydrogeomorphological analysis and modelling can help identify the key factors that contribute to the severity of flash floods, and early warning systems can help reduce the risk of casualties and damage. Continuous adaptation to global change scenarios is critical to ensuring that flood risk management strategies remain effective in the face of changing climate scenarios.

In the case of the Palma airport flood, the event highlighted the need for more robust flood risk management measures to mitigate the impact of such events. Implementing effective flood risk planning and management measures can help reduce the risk of flooding and minimize the impact of catastrophic events. Although difficult to stop and manage/divert flooding it can be done. It is important to understand also what we do with the citizens at the airport when these events occur.

Once again thanks for your time and reading the above, please feel free to reach out and drop a follow

Lewis :)