Reviewed Flood Risks Assessment and Management in Condition of the Slovak Republic

A new comprehensive approach on flood risk assessment and management on a European level has been triggered especially, after the large-scale flooding of 2002 in central Europe, with an estimated damage of 16.5 billion US$ (2002: 1 US$ = 1€). The European Commission issued a Communication about flood risk management in 2004. This initiative was followed by the adoption by the European parliament and the council of Directive 2007/60/EC on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risks on 23 October 2007. According to 2007/60/EC EU Member States completed the preliminary flood risk assessment by 22 December 2011. Based on available or readily derivable information, such as records and studies on long term developments, in particular impacts of climate change on the occurrence of floods, a preliminary flood risk assessment were undertaken to provide an assessment of potential risks. The preliminary flood risk assessment was used to identify areas which need to be considered in more detail through mapping and potentially the preparation of flood risk management plans. In order to assess flood risk it is necessary to identify both the probability and consequences of flooding. Flood hazard maps and flood risk maps EU Member States prepared by 22 December 2013. Flood risk maps have showed the potential adverse consequences associated with flood scenarios. The Exchange Circle on Flood Mapping (EXCIMAP) made an inventory of flood mapping practices in Europe. This inventory has resulted in a ‘Handbook on Good Practices for flood mapping in Europe’ and an ‘Atlas of Flood maps containing examples from 19 European countries, Japan and USA’. On the basis of the maps Member States established flood risk management plans by 22 December 2015. Flood risk management plans take into account relevant aspects such as costs and benefits, flood extent and flood conveyance routes and areas which have the potential to retain flood water, such as natural floodplains, the environmental objectives of Directive 2000/60/EC, soil and water management, spatial planning, land use, nature conservation, navigation and port infrastructure. The purpose of the flood risk management plans is to identify means of reducing the impacts of flooding. The reviewed period is each six years. The article presents the practical experiences with the implementation of European Flood Directive in condition of the Slovak Republic after the first evaluated perion.