U.S.- Italy Research Workshop on the
Hydrometeorology, Impacts, and Management of Extreme Floods
Perugia (Italy), November 1995



LONG TERM SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF EXTREME FLOOD

Eve Gruntfest
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
University of Colorado
Colorado Springs, CO 80933 USA

Extreme floods have serious social and economic impacts. Social science research following disasters is quite limited. Few researchers look back following major disasters to identify lessons to be learned from the recovery that might have implications for pre-disaster mitigation planning. Most longitudinal studies are 25 years old. This paper summarizes the existing research efforts on these impacts, reviews the actual impacts from nine extreme events, and provides recommendations for future research. Clearly there is a need for more coordinated post-audits following extreme floods to provide possible guidelines for communities to implement to limit long term social and economic impacts.