The Needs, Challenges, and Priorities for Advancing Global Flood Research

Review (2025)
Authors

Vidya Samadi (Clemson University)

Hayley J. Fowler (Newcastle University)

Jessica Lamond (University of the West of England)

Thorsten Wagener (University of Potsdam)

Manuela Brunner (ETH Zürich, Extremes and Natural Hazards in Alpine Regions Research Center CERC, WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF)

Jonathan Gourley (NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory)

Hamid Moradkhani (The University of Alabama)

Ioana Popescu (TU Delft - Water Systems Monitoring & Modelling, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education)

Conrad Wasko (University of Sydney)

Daniel B. Wright (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

G.B. More authors (External organisation)

Research Group
Water Systems Monitoring & Modelling
To reference this document use:
https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.70026
More Info
expand_more
Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Research Group
Water Systems Monitoring & Modelling
Issue number
3
Volume number
12
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.70026
Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Abstract

In recent years, numerous flood events have caused loss of life, widespread disruption, and damage across the globe. These devastating impacts highlight the importance of a better understanding of flood generating processes, their impacts, and their variability under climate and landscape changes. Here, we argue that the ability to better model flooding is underpinned by the grand challenge of understanding flood generation mechanisms and potential impacts. To address this challenge, the World Meteorological Organization-Global Energy and Water Exchanges (GEWEX) Hydrometeorology Panel (GHP) aims to establish a Global Flood Crosscutting project to propagate flood modeling and research knowledge across regions and to synthesize results at the global scale. This paper outlines a framework for understanding the dynamics and impacts of runoff generation processes and a rationale for the role of a Global Flood Crosscutting project to address these challenges. Within this Global Flood Crosscutting project, we will establish a common terminology and methods to enable the global research community to exchange knowledge and experiences, and to design experiments toward developing actionable recommendations for more effective flood management practices and policies for improved resilience. This harmonization of rich perspectives across disciplines will foster the co-production of knowledge primed to advance flood research, particularly in the current period of heightened climate variability and rapid change. It will create a new transdisciplinary paradigm for flood science, wherein different dimensions of mechanistic understanding and processes are rigorously considered alongside socioeconomic impacts, early warning communications, and longer-term adaptation to alleviate flood risks in society.