Spatial assessment of flash-flood vulnerability in the Moldova river catchment (N Romania) using the FFPI

The identification of the areas vulnerable to flash floods is one of the greatest challenges in flood risk management for both the scientific world and decision-makers. Its importance is underlined by the European Directive 2007/60/EC, which sets out the general framework of public policies to reduce the impacts of floods on the development of local communities. This research was conducted in the Moldova river catchment, located in the northern part of Romania, in the Carpathian Mountains, where half of the administrative-territorial units record floods annually. The methodology used the Flash Flood Potential Index (FFPI) which has been computed based on the correlation of various factors which have a direct impact on the surface runoff. Each geographical factor has been represented on a 30 m grid and the data aggregation has provided the spatial hazard model for floods. In addition, the impact of deforestation on flood events was also analysed. The result of the FFPI was compared with the official flood records of the local authorities from our study area. The results constitute a methodological instrument, complementary to the classical ones, for the elaboration of the flood hazard maps, with a special importance given to the modelling of this type of hazard in the area with no structural defence measures.