European floods: Using lessons learned to reduce risks

Zurich Insurance Group risk engineers who were on the ground and witnessed the effects of 2013 flooding first hand believe that the extent of damage need not have been so high if some of the lessons learned from previous major floods had been better applied. They have identified opportunities to lessen the impact of future floods. Their recommendations include making people aware of the risks of building and living in flood zones, and ensuring communities plan the right type of protection to help withstand floods and potentially lessen damage. Equally important, incentives are needed that promote efforts to mitigate flood losses. It is crucial that governments, insurers and private and public organizations put these lessons into practice. By acting together now, they can help to lessen the impact that major floods have on people’s lives, their businesses and their communities.

In March 2013, Zurich launched a global flood resilience program which will focus on developing and disseminating knowledge and expertise on flood resilience, and aims to enhance community flood resilience by finding innovative ways to increase the impact of disaster risk reduction efforts at the community, national and global level.

Find out more about Zurich’s flood resilience program and corporate responsibility at Zurich.

Disclaimer: Views expressed on this page and in the reports are not necessarily those of the Zurich Insurance Group, which accepts no responsibility for them.