JBA Risk Management Launches Flood Model in Wake of Cyclone Alfred’s Impact

Flooding, once considered a secondary risk, has become a major concern for brokers and insurers due to recent severe events, including the widespread damage caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred this week.  

JBA Risk Management, a UK-based expert in flood science, has introduced a new, comprehensive inland flood model for Australia to address the growing demand from the insurance and risk industries for improved flood data.  

This new model offers detailed flood data at a 5-meter resolution for major cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, and at a 30-meter resolution for the rest of the country. It combines physical and statistical methods to assess flooding from both tropical and non-tropical storms. The model is based on JBA's high-resolution flood maps, which are already used by many insurers in Australia to support flood risk assessments. 

Mansi Kalra, Managing Director, JBA Risk Management Pte said: “Our Australia Flood Model complete with the new sensitivity tool is a first for the Australian market, providing comprehensive coverage and insight at a level of detail not previously available, enabling our users to better evaluate climate change impacts hello@jbarisk.com www.jbarisk.com on flood risk for better portfolio planning, capital management, and regulatory compliance. Feedback from the market has already been extremely positive.” 

The model uses advanced techniques, such as 2D hydraulic modelling, terrain data, channel capacity, sea level science, and flood defence information, to ensure an accurate representation of flood dynamics. It also provides projections of future flood risks for 2050 and 2080, under different climate scenarios, along with a sensitivity analysis tool for exploring various "what-if" scenarios.  

This technology will further enable brokers provide more accurate risk assessments to their clients, leading to better coverage and pricing decisions. Brokers can leverage the sensitivity analysis tool to explore a range of "what-if" scenarios, allowing them to assess the impact of different conditions or events on flood risk. This can be valuable for advising clients on how changes in climate or environmental factors might affect their coverage needs over time. 

To find out more visit: JBA Risk Management | The Flood People