Assessment of Exposure to Flash Flooding in an Arid Environment: A Case Study of the Jeddah City Neighborhood Abruq Ar Rughamah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

AbstractIn arid areas, flash floods represent one of the most severe hazards for people and infrastructure alike. The associated risks are compounded by increasing exposure and vulnerability through rapid and unregulated urbanization, poor infrastructure, and sociocultural factors, among other elements. This research explores the flash flooding risk in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah with a particular focus on the Abruq Ar Rughamah neighborhood, which experienced a destructive flood in November 2009 that resulted in 116 deaths and 1,200 families becoming homeless. The neighborhood is an interesting case study as it has two distinctive urban layouts representing planned and irregular settlement types. In this paper, the focus is placed on exposure to flash flood hazards using a geographic information system to study urban layouts, building types, and resident populations in conjunction with data from satellites, flood mapping studies, and topographic data. The results show that most of the study area is located along a natural flood path. The regions that were affected by the 2009 disaster received no comprehensive site rehabilitation. This paper concludes that it is important to develop a risk management strategy that includes limiting urban expansion in flood-prone areas and redesigning neighborhoods to increase flood resilience.