Characteristics of Urban Waterlogging and Flash Flood Hazards and Their Integrated Preventive Measures: Case Study in Fuzhou, China

Abstract

The frequent extreme weather events have led to dramatic urban waterlogging and flash flood hazards in recent years, which result in heavy casualties and serious economic losses. Mountainous cities like Fuzhou, China, usually experience both types of hazard concurrently and are susceptible to these hazards. Therefore, it is necessary to take comprehensive defense measures to prevent and/or mitigate the impacts of these hazards. In this study, the authors first reviewed the progress of prevention measures of these two types of hazards in China through the nationwide construction of sponge cities and national flash flood prevention projects. The authors then analyzed the characteristics of waterlogging and flash flood hazards in China using 25 years of records from the Chinese government and elaborated the causes and existing issues. Results show that flash floods and urban waterlogging in mountainous cities have exacerbated the severity of flood hazards. Based on the typical effective measures of such flood hazard prevention systems, the authors also discussed the possible comprehensive preventive measures to be implemented in Fuzhou via the spongy city construction, which can provide a reference for future flood management.