Innovative Uses of Rainfall Prediction in Urban Flash Flood Forecasting

by John F. Henz, Henz Kelly & Assoc, United States,
Ron A. Kelly, Henz Kelly & Assoc, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Computerized Decision Support Systems for Water Managers

Abstract:

Operational prediction of excessive convective rainfall and the ensuing urban flooding has been an integral part of the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District's (UDFCD) Flash Flood Prediction Program (F2P2) since 1979. The primary goal of this program is to provide advance warning of flash flooding potential to the appropriate county and city officials to evoke timely response. In the past three years of the program, increasing use has been made of microcomputer technology to assist in assessing rainfall potential and disseminating timely communication to local officials. Microcomputer based models of convective cloud rainfall production are linked to a surface meteorological data network and satellite delivered weather data services to provide continuing assessment of heavy rainfall potential in the program response area. A micro-based expert system is used to assist in the prediction of associated severe weather occurrences. Finally, electronic mail is used to assist in the delivery of forecasts and assessments of the flash flood potential to F2P2 users through an electronic bulletin board.

Subject Headings: Floods | Rainfall | Flash floods | Urban areas | Forecasting | Computer analysis | Computer aided operations

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