Base de dados DISASTER : eventos idrogeomorfológicos na região norte de Portugal de 1900 a 1950

Abstract

The main natural hazards that affect more frequently the North of Portugal are the progressive floods, flash floods and landslides. Throughout the XX century and the beginning of the XXI century, several hydro-geomorphological events were recorded. However, until now, there wasn´t a uniform database of those occurrences and respective damage. Thus, the research project DISASTER, aims to build a database, to mainland Portugal, of floods and landslides occurrences, crucial for risk management, analyzing its spatial distribution, the territory susceptibility and the vulnerability of exposed elements. It is therefore important for decision support in spatial planning, emergency planning and evaluating the social, economic and environmental impact of natural disasters. For the preventive management of risks assumed as a priority by the National Program of Policy Planning, this database is essential. The research focused on events occurrences recorded in the Jornal de Notícias between 1888 and 2011, have resulted in fatalities, injured, missing, homeless or evacuated persons, regardless the number affected and the economic value of the damage. This paper presents the results of statistical and spatial analysis events recorded in the Northern Region, from 1900 to 1950. Over these 50 years, more than 200 events were registered, most of them progressive floods, followed by the flash floods and landslides. The progressive floods follow the route of major rivers, namely Douro, Cávado, Lima and Tâmega rivers. The year with more occurrences was 1909, due to the great flood which affected mainly the Douro River. In result of all occurrences, 124 people died, 477 were evacuated and 671 have been displaced.