Flood Risk and Vulnerability Analysis Project - Atlantic Climate ...

The „Types of Events‟ field is based on an interpretation of information provided with the
source data for the particular flood or storm event.
The present list of entries/categories (see below) reflects this interpretation effort.
Rainfall Dam Break Snowmelt/Ice Jams
Snowmelt Flash Flood Snow Storm/Winds
Rainfall and Snowmelt Flood Storm Surge
Ice Jam Rainfall/Snowmelt/Ice Jams Winds
Coastal Waves Rainfall and Ice Jams Winds/Tides
Coastal Flooding Rapid Snowmelt Winds/Tides/Rainfall
It is recommended that some consideration be given the splitting the „Types of Event‟
field into primary and secondary (and perhaps even tertiary) causal factors. This would
allow for consolidation of entries within a more concise listing of primary/secondary
causes and perhaps better understanding of the nature of flood events.
An example would be the current entry for „Rainfall/Snowmelt/Ice Jams‟. Further
investigation of this event may yield the cause of the flooding as one or more ice jams.
However, the ice jams were the result of break-up due to high water levels caused by a
winter rainfall event. The rainfall and above freezing temperatures may have also
caused accelerated snowmelt which contributed to the high water levels.
It is recommended that WRMD consider the addition of a data field to identify the
watershed within which the community is located.
The inventory presently maintains a data field identifying the flooded waterbody.
However, this information is not always recorded or identified in the source data for a
flood event. Watershed delineation across the province (at a minimum across
Newfoundland) is available through various datasets. As well, the Local Government
Profile dataset (available from the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs)
maintains a geographic reference point for communities across the province. The linking
of these two data layers would provide a means of identifying the watershed.
The data presented in the updated Flood Events Inventory is considered as complete and
correct as possible in the context of Project objectives.
Field
Flood#
Storm #
General Location
Description
A flood event reference number, also a unique record identifier
A storm event reference number. Areas affected by the same storm will
have the same Storm #.
The areas of the province that are affected by the flood. e.g., Flood: St.
TA1112733
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