The impact of damaging hydrogeological events on urbanised sectors: the case of 19th November 2013 in Catanzaro (Italy)

Damaging Hydrogeological Events are the whole of phenomena triggered by rain, such as landslides and floods, causing damage to people and properties. The DHE which on 19th November 2013 caused huge flood damage on the east side of Calabria (Italy) has been analyzed. The focus is on the effects in Catanzaro town. The study of past DHEs highlighted that this town can suffer damage even after ordinary daily rain (return period<10 years), as in the 2013 case. The flood vulnerability is undoubtedly related to the urbanization of flood-prone areas which has been started since 1950s, as a result of population increase.