European exchange circle on flood forecasting EXCIFF State of play May 2007 Ad de Roo (DG JRC) Frédérique Martini (FR)

EXCIFF history Initiated in Nov 2004 by France & JRC set up a European scale specific interest group of operational national or international forecasting centres or agencies (including both meteorological and hydrological aspects). Proposed to Water Directors meeting Launched in Dec 2004 1st of the exchange circles dedicated to flood management topics Part of the initiative of the European Commission for an Action programme on flood management Action 1: improving the exchange of information Co-chaired by France & JRC: Frédérique Martini (France, MEDD) Ad de Roo (EC, DG JRC)

EXCIFF aims Facilitate a platform to exchange practical experience in operational flood forecasting, driven by a need for exchange of information, approaches and technical knowledge between European countries complimentary to DG RTD initiatives such as ACTIF Review state-of-play of flood forecasting in Europe Feedback forum of the European Flood Alert System (EFAS) Identify needs and gaps Identify the most important fields to work on in order to improve our know-how Propose common concrete actions

EXCIFF Membership 22 Members states or Agencies 31 operational centres or organisations (hydrological, meteorological) 43 focal points

EXCIFF activities Jan 2005: Questionnaire of information collection Feb 2005 1st workshop (Toulouse) Synthesis report & CD Apr 2005 1st newsletter Nov 2005 2nd newsletter Jan 2006 2nd workshop (Ispra) Flood forecasting of plain floods (EFAS+HU) Flood forecasting of flash floods (FR) Flood forecasting of coastal floods (NL) Feb 2006 Establishment of EXCIFF website Apr 2006 3rd newsletter Mrc-Nov 2006 several sessions “GP” report Apr 2007 inventory for future actions meeting May 2007 publication of “GP” report

EXCIFF priority actions for 2005-2006 (achieved) Action 6C - Implement a EXCIFF Internet site/portal facilitate exchange between FF actors Established at JRC in summer 2006 Action 5C - Work on “flood forecasting information for the general public” Aim: write a guide of «good practice for flood-related information to the general public Established by Drafting team with members from: DE, SE, FI, FR, IT, NL, UK, published May 2007 Action 3C - Organise exchange of methods between EXCIFF countries on flood forecasting (modelling / experience / organisation) Workshop Jan 2006

Guide printed May 2007 Available: EXCIFF website: http://exciff.jrc.it Email: ad.de-roo@jrc.it

EXCIFF planned actions for 2007 and later Agreed/Planned actions in Jan 2005; under revision: Organise collective training for flood forecasters Specific catchment behaviour the modelling and forecasting process Explore “hydrological data quality standard” and “hydrological data exchange standard” Express to the meteorological community a need for agreement between hydrological and meteorological communities concerning (cross-border) use and exchange of meteorological data Collection of new ideas / suggestions Emails send out to EXCIFF members

EXCIFF suggested topics (sofar; order of priority) practical experiences with probabilistic forecasting and its dissemination (including experiences with the European Flood Alert System, EFAS) possibilities for improved flash flood forecasting regular information exchange of flood forecasting services training of flood forecasters (continuous and self training) how will the job of a flood forecasters look like in 5 or 10 years? possibilities and needs for improved plain flood forecasting future research needs in flood forecasting frequent presentations and information exchange on European and national research projects with practical applications in flood forecasting (link to ERANET CRUE ??) Possible next meeting: Mainz (DE) (N. Demuth)

You’re welcome as a member! EXCIFF Membership You’re welcome as a member! Contact: ad.de-roo@jrc.it