Author(s): Angelos Alamanos; Elpida Kolokytha; Yannis Mylopoulos
Linked Author(s): Elpida Kolokytha
Keywords: Post-fire floods Flood protection measures Remote Areas Capacity-development
Abstract: Climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of wildfires, creating cascading risks such as post-fire floods that threaten ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities. This challenge is particularly acute in remote and developing areas, lacking the infrastructure to handle such emerging post-fire flood risks, and where limited managerial attention exacerbates vulnerability. In this regard, proper scientific tools are essential to describe these events, improve understanding, and inform the design of effective flood protection measures. We applied an established, integrated framework, combining remote sensing, atmospheric, hydraulic, and economic modelling to simulate a real post-fire flood event in a remote Greek catchment. After assessing various protection measures, we designed and proposed the most feasible and cost-efficient ones to enhance resilience against similar threats. A significant gap lies in the uptake of such simple measures, which is strongly connected with the capacity of regional policymakers to proactively address flood risks in remote areas. To address this, we propose a stakeholder engagement process to build the necessary behavioural changes and capacity for effective flood protection, delivering thus several socio-economic and environmental co-benefits.
Year: 2025