Analysis of registered floods in Turkey

Objective: The aim of this article is to emphasize the impact of floods in Turkey. Methods: A registration‐based, descriptive study was conducted. The data were obtained from annual flood reports published by the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works. Results: Between 1970 and 1996, 624 floods were recorded. In 83 floods (13.3%), 539 people died (mean = 6.4). Statistically significant relationships were found to exist between material losses and the total number of deaths (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.53, p = 0.00). The floods happened mostly in the summer season (n = 286, 45.8%) with a peak in July (n = 115, 18.4%). Most of the floods and deaths occurred in the Black Sea Region (n = 158, 25.3% and n = 200, 37.1%, respectively). When all the floods were analysed together, a single flood cost US $2 708 461. Conclusion: These results should serve as the basis for future studies regarding floods including analytical epidemiological studies to determine risk factors for death and injury. The c...