Impact Project: rain-proofing a city in cooperation with insurers
Extreme rainfall is occurring more frequently. It causes flooding and damage to homes and commercial properties. In this Impact Project, the worlds of an insurer (Achmea), researcher (Delft University of Technology), and municipality/water manager (Waternet/Amsterdam Rainproof) are brought together to analyse the impact of extreme rainfall on residents in Amsterdam. The project also explores how to anticipate extreme rainfall in order to reduce the water damage and to increase living enjoyment.
To gain improved insight into the scope of flooding and damage after extreme rainfall, the project studies the work method used by organisations involved to gather and share information on the damage.
The damage caused by the extreme rainfall on 28 July 2014 was studied by analysing existing insurance data from Achmea, open data such as the BAG data, and reports of pluvial flooding at Waternet, at the local authority of Amsterdam and at the Fire Brigade. Due to personal data protection laws, this analysis was conducted at the level of postcodes instead of using exact addresses. In addition, a survey of residents was conducted in affected areas to determine the factors that contribute to water damage, and the actual damage caused.
Photo: extreme rainfall in Amsterdam (Wesly Bronkhorst)
Results
Study results help with giving individual advice
The study has shown that in 60% of the cases involving damage there was no water in the street. Most of the instances of damage occurred on the roof and walls. Often the water rises up through the toilet and other drains into the house, where the greatest damage occurs on the ground floor and in basements.
The majority of the residents were unaware that heavy rainfall was expected. Few emergency and precautionary measures were taken to counter the flooding. It also appears that insurance claims do not present a clear picture of the actual total damage. The actual damage after extreme rainfall is higher than what is reported by insurers. Many people do not claim their damage, and intangible loss is not reflected in the insurance claims.
There are opportunities for local authorities, district water boards and insurers to raise water awareness among residents and clients by coordinating their communication and by communicating with a common goal in mind concerning the ways in which residents can reduce pluvial flooding. Because the cost of claims depends on the location, it is important to be as specific as possible when providing this information. Specific advice that is tailored to the particular storey on which the residence is located appeals to residents and prompts them to take action.
It is important to gather the correct information during the intake procedure of a claim or report of pluvial flooding. The combination of different sources of information from the local authorities and the insurer at the postcode level provides added value.
Lessons learned from the public-private cooperation between insurer and government
In the Impact Project, work is conducted from a shared objective that corresponds with the individual interests of the organisations involved. Neutral parties were called in to manage the project and conduct the research, which has contributed to bringing about mutual understanding and appreciation of one another’s position. Cooperation between different organisations provides added value. It achieves results and insights that otherwise would not have been achieved, it increases mutual understanding, and everyone knows who to call when the next extreme rainfall occurs.
Contact person
Lot Locher
Amsterdam Rainproof
+31(0)6-13178715
info@rainproof.nl