Currently many researchers in academia industry (r & d) and government agencies in the US and elsewhere are investigating and attempting to identify flood risk areas and predict changes in flood…

Currently many researchers in academia industry (r & d) and government agencies in the US and elsewhere are investigating and attempting to identify flood risk areas and predict changes in flood risk at large spatial and temporal scales. Both within the united states as well as globally there is a recognized need to identify flood risk and exposure at higher resolution and with greater precision than currently done. At present applied research studies either use satellite data to map hazard and exposure to flooding at large scales or use models that are typically run with stochastic data or flow return periods with large uncertainties about extreme events- like floods- in the distribution tails. Furthermore exposure and derived vulnerability data are often licensed or of restricted access. New technologies (small and cube-satellites drones) advances in artificial intelligence (AI) improved use of crowdsources social media and available census and other data and interoperability standards however promise significant even game-changing progress in this field for the coming years. Flood risk assessments of both exposure and vulnerability should leverage the best available data- but often those producing or using such assessments are unaware of all the available options. In order to maximize exchange and value of required data and models collaborative partnerships between private and public entities must be established. There is thus a clear need to bring together government agencies humanitarian aid organizations insurance and RE-insurance providers private sector industries as well as academic and research institutions to increase collaboration and improve access to and flow of information around flood risk. To fulfill this need we propose a flood risk workshop to: a) identify minimal requirements for mapping global flood risk that meets user needs b) start new collaborative partnerships and strengthen existing ones c) identify achievable short-term goals that do not require significant funding and d) determine a multi-year plan on how to achieve the workshop goals. The recent history and growing impact of flood disasters worldwide clearly illustrates that current flood risk and resilience assessment methods are insufficient to support the mitigation and adaptation activities required to reduce exposure and vulnerability. This workshop responds to a timely need to bring together the main actors across various sectors and communities to reassess and rethink the state of flood risk assessments so they can better meet decision making needs.