The Global Flood Database (GFD) offers a detailed record of flood events worldwide from 2000 to 2018. It maps 913 floods using satellite imagery, providing data on flood extent, duration, and impact. This resource is valuable for GIS professionals involved in disaster response, urban planning, and environmental studies.
What Is the Global Flood Database?
The GFD is a collaboration between Cloud to Street and the Dartmouth Flood Observatory. It utilizes data from NASA's MODIS satellites to detect and map flood events. Each event is analyzed to determine the area affected and the duration of flooding. The database aims to support flood risk assessment and management efforts globally.
Key Features
Flood Extent
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Maximum Inundation: Identifies the largest area covered by floodwaters during an event.
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Duration: Measures how long each area remained flooded.
Data Quality Indicators
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Cloud Coverage: Assesses the clarity of satellite images during the flood period.
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Permanent Water Masking: Differentiates between regular water bodies and floodwaters.
Event Metadata
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Location: Provides coordinates and country information for each flood.
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Severity: Classifies the impact level based on damage and recurrence interval.
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Cause: Notes the primary trigger, such as heavy rainfall or cyclones.
Accessing the Data
The GFD is available through:
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Google Earth Engine: Dataset Catalog
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Cloud to Street Portal: Data Portal
Data formats include GeoTIFF files suitable for integration into GIS platforms like QGIS, ArcGIS, or Atlas.
Applications in GIS
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Disaster Management: Plan and respond to flood events with historical data.
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Urban Planning: Design infrastructure considering flood-prone areas.
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Environmental Research: Study the effects of flooding on ecosystems.
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Risk Assessment: Evaluate potential flood risks for insurance and development projects.
Licensing and Use
The GFD is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. This allows for free use in research, education, and non-commercial applications.
