This research looks at the U.S.’s HAZUS-MH Flood Model and adapts some of its methodologies to Piura, Peru, as an example of many regions around the world with limited technical and capital capacity to estimate inundation risks. Thus, this research proposes a methodology for accessible and achievable flood risk estimation which takes into account limited available data. The proposed methodology will produce maps of potential inundation areas and monetized damage values from flood scenarios. These outputs can further help local authorities design, decide, and prepare their risk mitigation and adaptation plans for the future.

Methodology

This research methodology uses QGIS as the main program for spatial analysis because it is a free and open sourced program that is available for anyone to use. The method is also based on the available and free data of the Piura Region. The processing methodology is divided into three main sections.

1. Delineation of flood hazard areas: The first process aims to delineate flood zones at various risk levels by modifying and simplifying processes from HAZUS-MH Flood Model Technical Guide. While hydrologists can make more accurate predictions of flood scenarios, this research aims to provide local authorities with a methodology that is free and simple to use.

2. Calculation of the exposures and damages of general building stocks: With the map of inundation areas from the process above, the inundation impact on buildings at various scenarios is simply an intersection between the two layers.

3. Valuation of building damages at different hazard scenarios: Valuation of building damages depends largely on the cost of construction and refurbishment. This phase has two processes; 1) estimate the cost of refurbishment/reconstruction and 2) estimate the total construction costs at various flood scenarios.