Abstract
This paper describes lessons learned during the floods in 2014 in Bulgaria where a large group of professionals and researchers working in early warning and crises management (EWCM) got involved. The paper describes the site and the chronological order of the events, which disturbed the Seminar on EWCM, June, 2014.
Due to heavy rain the conference participants got isolated in a flooded area. The National Programme for Disaster Protection provided information but could not help in the crisis situation. The emergency telephone line was open and online forecast information was available but the conference organizers were not aware of any procedures how to deal with crisis situations. The maps and images of the area were not available before and after the event.
Triggered by these events, we discuss the need of better preparedness in detail. We propose a number of maps that we believe need to be prepared and made available to citizens in similar situation. The maps are classified and their properties are discussed in detail. A map, based on satellite images, was produced by Copernicus project after the event. We elaborate on its content, aim and usefulness.
We emphasize on the need of a better cooperation and exchange of information between professionals in the field and regular citizens. Two types of information streams are considered: from the responders to the citizens and from the citizens to the responders. We conclude the paper with suggestions for future improvement of the preparedness of organizers of big events.
Due to heavy rain the conference participants got isolated in a flooded area. The National Programme for Disaster Protection provided information but could not help in the crisis situation. The emergency telephone line was open and online forecast information was available but the conference organizers were not aware of any procedures how to deal with crisis situations. The maps and images of the area were not available before and after the event.
Triggered by these events, we discuss the need of better preparedness in detail. We propose a number of maps that we believe need to be prepared and made available to citizens in similar situation. The maps are classified and their properties are discussed in detail. A map, based on satellite images, was produced by Copernicus project after the event. We elaborate on its content, aim and usefulness.
We emphasize on the need of a better cooperation and exchange of information between professionals in the field and regular citizens. Two types of information streams are considered: from the responders to the citizens and from the citizens to the responders. We conclude the paper with suggestions for future improvement of the preparedness of organizers of big events.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedingsof the 6th International Conference on Cartography and GIS |
Editors | T. Bandrova, M. Konecny |
Publisher | Bulgarska Kartografska Asotsiatsiya |
Pages | 770-778 |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Event | 6th International Conference on Cartography and GIS - Albena, Bulgaria Duration: 13 Jun 2016 → 17 Jun 2016 |
Publication series
Name | International Conference on Cartography & GIS |
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ISSN (Electronic) | 1314-0604 |
Conference
Conference | 6th International Conference on Cartography and GIS |
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Country/Territory | Bulgaria |
City | Albena |
Period | 13/06/16 → 17/06/16 |
Keywords
- flood,
- crises management
- mapping natural disasters
- disaster in practice