Towards an Integrated Assessment of Weather-Driven Natural Risk in Europe

In this article we illustrate the framework of a multi-risk assessment study at pan-European scale. Preliminary results for four weather-driven natural hazards, i.e.: floods, drought, forest fires and heat waves, are presented. In the proposed approach the risk is considered on the light of exposure, vulnerability and hazard. The risk layers produced for the natural hazards addressed will be integrated in a second phase in a multi-risk map for Europe. We propose a methodology with a marked territorial approach for the assessment of the risks. The methodology firstly considers the available geo-referenced information at pan-European level in order to give a realistic view of its potentialities and limitations. Furthermore some ideas are discussed regarding multi-risk assessment. An overview of the approaches so far developed for large areas is included. This study is a contribution to the discussion about the need for communication tools between the natural hazard scientific community and the political and decision making players in this field.JRC.H.7-Land management and natural hazard