Overview
Flooding has always been a serious problem for Rethymno causing an ongoing threat to its residents, homes, businesses and public infrastructure. Major flood events have been encountered throughout the years, resulting in serious damages mainly in the Old Town of Rethymno and the east low-laying areas. Rethymno is located in the drainage basin of the north part of Vrysinas mountain making stormwater flow through the urban area inevitable. In addition, the coastal zone of Rethymno is exposed throughout the years to strong N and NW winds (7-(Bf) with great fetches, resulting in the development of great waves. Changes in wind conditions had resulted in causing storm events more frequently than in the past. More specifically extreme weather conditions with strong winds resulted in the creation of storm waves combines sometimes with flash floods form ephemeral streams.
Problem Description
Owing to the large quantity of stormwater that drains through the streams of Rethymno city, flooding is considered to be one of the natural hazards. Additionally, extreme waves result in violent wave overtopping that occurs along the windward breakwaters of the harbour and threats the stability of breakwaters as well as the safety of human population. Huge quantities of seawater as well as the wider coastal area cause interruption in loading and unloading operations, damage the port facilities, disturb traffic and affect the coastal economic activity (shops, restaurants, etc.). Additionally, the adjacent to the harbour recreational beaches are exposed to erosion.
Research focus
The ultimate goal for Rethymno case study is to develop a specific actionable roadmap for flood risk management through a Decision Support System (DSS), in collaboration with local stakeholders. The work will include a comprehensive analyses for holistic and multiple risk assessment. The creation of LAAs will distinguish the involved stakeholders. Exploitation of the multi-scale, integrated modelling framework (WP2) will produce downscaled precomputed scenarios for Rethymno in order to address multiple potential hazards. The socio-economic dimension will be incorporated through comprising models such as behavior simulation, agents algorithm, and urban growth scenarios with cellular automata. Hydrological models, mainly precipitation-runoff models, when used with real time data, forecasts or even hypothetical hydrometeorological data, will enable the DSS to become a real-time flood warning system. Research within PEARL will help to enhance existing infrastructure and operational strategies against the danger of flood by helping stakeholders to identify areas that are sensitive to floods and also to define efficient flood management strategies, engineering, environmental and socio economic measures for Rethymno case study.