A Hydro-geomorphological Disaster: Braunsbach Flood 2016

Following an unusual torrential downpour on 29th May 2016 with a total precipitation of 105 mm fallen in just one day (in contrast to May and June monthly average which varies from 70-80 mm/ month), flood outburst with massive amounts of rubbles and muddy sediments has been witnessed in the south-western German town of Braunsbach. This flash flood, as the combination of surging water and intensive sediment, coming from around 42 landslides, remarkable river bank erosion and river bed incision, was responsible of smashing numerous buildings, cars and town facilities, leaving residents with damage and losses. The event triggered the team of researchers under the research training group NatRiskChange to conduct field surveys, collect available data and analyze the underlying causes, magnitude, process complexity and aftermath problems of the disaster. The present analysis emphasizes on the hydro-geomorphology, in which comparisons of the event and study catchment is made in contrast to similar past events and regional catchments. They include the estimation of removed sediments/ materials, meteorological overview and the assessment hydro-geological characteristics.