Title: Hydrometeorological Advances in Flood Forecasting in View of Lessons Learned from The Great Mississippi Basin Flood of 1993
Abstract: The Great Flood of 1993 in the Upper Mississippi Basin, which devastated 500 counties in nine states, was unprecedented in modern history. The hydrological and meteorological conditions that led to the flood were unique, complex, and extreme in many aspects. A brief description of the hydrometeorological setting that led to The Great Flood of 1993 is presented. Also presented is a summary of the human and economic impacts of the flood. In view of the magnitude of the losses, it is clear that every effort must be taken to reduce potential future losses. Many lessons already have been learned from The Great Flood of 1993. Foremost among these is the need to accelerate the implementation of an Advanced Hydrologic Prediction System. The major components of this advanced prediction system are presented and comparisons are made between forecast capabilities employed during The Great Flood of 1993 with those that will be possible once an Advanced Hydrologic Prediction System is in place. A significant functionality of the advanced prediction system must be more effective linkage of meteorological and climatological forecast and outlook information with the hydrologic forecast system. This is especially important for future precipitation. Inability to adequately incorporate precipitation forecasts was the single largest source of error for the longer-term hydrologic forecasts during The Great Flood of 1993. One approach for improving this deficiency as part of an Advanced Hydrologic Prediction System is described.
Publication Year: 1994
Publication Date: 1994-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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