A Nationwide Flood Forecasting System for Saudi Arabia: Insights from the Jeddah 2022 Event
Giulia Sofia, Qing Yang, Xinyi Shen, Mahjabeen Fatema Mitu, Πλάτων Πατλάκας, Ioannis Chaniotis, Andreas Kallos, Mohammed Ahmed Alomary, Saad S. Alzahrani, Zaphiris D. Christidis, Emmanouil N. Anagnostou
Abstract
Saudi Arabia is threatened by recurrent flash floods caused by extreme precipitation events. To mitigate the risks associated with these natural disasters, we implemented an advanced nationwide flash flood forecast system, boosting disaster preparedness and response. A noteworthy feature of this system is its national-scale operational approach, providing comprehensive coverage across the entire country. Using cutting-edge technology, the setup incorporates a state-of-the-art, three-component system that couples an atmospheric model with hydrological and hydrodynamic models to enable the prediction of precipitation patterns and their potential impacts on local communities. This paper showcases the system’s effectiveness during an extreme precipitation event that struck Jeddah on 24 November 2022. The event, recorded as the heaviest rainfall in the region’s history, led to widespread flash floods, highlighting the critical need for accurate and timely forecasting. The flash flood forecast system proved to be an effective tool, enabling authorities to issue warnings well before the flooding, allowing residents to take precautionary measures, and allowing emergency responders to mobilize resources effectively.