Assessment and mapping of flash flood hazard severity in Jordan

ABSTRACT Flash flood is among the most catastrophic hazards worldwide. Jordan has been witnessing unusual shocks of flash floods with regular intervals. It is best described as sudden events involving ‘too much water in too little time’. This study aims at presenting flash flood assessment and producing a potential flood hazard severity map. The GIS-based hydrology assessment was carried out using Rational model. The model integrates biophysical characteristics of the basin and the hydrometrological information. The range of peak discharge was around 5 MCM in the Jordan Valley to 65 MCM in W. Hammad basin. Flood hazard severity map was produced based on Integrated Context Analysis approach (ICA) at surface basin's level. It has been shown that 17.6% of Jordan's area is categorized into ‘high’ class hazard severity. The study provides consistent information at a national-scale on flood hazard reclassification to support the development of the implementation of flood management policy of flood mitigation activities. Also, it proves the usefulness of GIS technology in model preparation and parameterizations.