WaterResources Management 10: 279-302, 1996. @ 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands. 279 An Evaluation of Flood Forecasting, Warning and Response Systems in the European Union DENNIS PARKER and MAUREEN FORDHAM Flood Hazard ResearchCentre, Middlesex University, Enjield EN3 4SE United Kingdom (Received:31 January 1995; in final form: 1 August 1995) Abstract. This paperpresents results from the EUROflood research project sponsored by the European Commission under the EPOCH programme. The paper evaluateslevels of development of flood forecasting, warning and response systems (FFWRS) in the European Union with reference to riverine and tidal floods in The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Portugal. An experimental evaluation methodology, comprising fourteen criteria and five development stages, is used to evaluate FFWRS. Flood forecasting is the starting point, but the research addresses entire FFWRS. Despite advances in flood forecasting, FFWRSoften under-perform because warning dissemination and response are unsatisfactory. FFWRS have developedin response to different water resource managementproblems,varying flood characteristics and different historic, cultural and institutional factors. FFWRS for flood defence and flood emergency response are the main focus, but they are also important for navigation, bridge clearance,fishing, recreation and industry. France, parts of Germany,The Netherlands and England and Wales have relatively mature FFWRS. FFWRS are much less well developed in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Portugal, and important areasfor enhancementare identified in all countries. Cross-country and within-country comparisonsrevealthe potential for knowledge transfer, although ultimately the unique circumstances of each country places limits upon this process. Key words: floods, forecasting, warnings, evaluation,France,Germany,The Netherlands,Portugal, United Kingdom. 1. Introduction Flood forecasting, warning and response systems (FFWRS) arebeingemployed in Europe to reducematerial, human and cultural flood losses. FFWRS are complex and require regular evaluation. This paperexplains the development of an exper- imental evaluation methodology for FFWRS. One potential value of a uniform evaluation methodology is that common problemsmay be highlighted,knowledge can be pooled andeffective systems andbestpractices may be transferred between and within countries. The development of FFWRS is evaluated across the Euro- peanUnion with specific reference to five selected countries: The Netherlands, the United Kingdom (U.K.) comprising Scotland, Northern Ireland and England and Wales*, Germany, France and Portugal. * England and Walesare treated as a single ‘country’ within the U.K. because they have virtually the samelegal and institutional arrangementsfor water management.