Earth observation and case-based systems for flood risk management

The case-based approach is presented through two of SERTIT´s (Service Re´gional de Traitement d´Image et de Te´le´de´tection) major involvements in flood risk management. The first is operational crisis management action, contracted by ESA on the River Saoˆne March 2001 flood. Archived and scheduled remote sensing data are used, leading to the delivery of rapid flood mapping products to the civil protection authorities. The second consists of research and development actions on well documented historical events. The case definition is based on the analysis of imagery products and environmental data, to both describe flood hazard and vulnerability. This approach stresses the synergy between landscape, its evolution and flood impact. Both optical and radar data are used in these two applications, with specified pre-processing levels.