PERC floods following “Bernd”

Szönyi, M., Roezer, V., Deubelli, T. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7765-0552, Ulrich, J., MacClune, K., Laurien, F. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7329-5864, & Norton, R. (2022). PERC floods following “Bernd”. Zurich Insurance Company , Zurich, Switzerland.

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Abstract

The Bernd floods, the severity of which have been linked to climate change, came at a time when climate change was and continues to be at the center of national and international political debates. Not only did the event highlight the urgency to address the climate crisis by drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it also raised the question about limits to and failures of DRM and climate change adaptation. As traditional approaches are demonstrably not enough, how can countries and communities adapt to the new realities of climate change? If more transformational approaches are needed, what could they look like?

In this report, we provide both key insights and concrete recommendations drawn from this flood event. Preparing for the future requires that we learn the lessons; and, learn not just for those areas that were affected this time, but in particular areas with similarities to the areas most impacted by Bernd, areas that could suffer similar losses in a future flood. It is especially those areas that must take action now to get to a higher preparedness level. As we have seen in the devastated areas, planning for reconstruction and implementing a forward-looking approach at the same time is nearly impossible as the affected population wants to get back to normal. Hence, often, opportunities are missed to improve and build forward - which needs to change.

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