A risk management framework for NaTech scenarios caused by flooding

Natural events such as severe floods may impact on industrial facilities leading to major accidents (fires, explosions, toxic dispersion or environment contamination), following damages to structures and equipment. This type of accident is indicated as a "natural-technological" (NaTech) event and often occurred in the past. The present study is aimed at exploring the risk management implications related NaTech events caused by floods impacting on industrial facilities, to support the straightforward identification of critical units and to quantify the effect of safety barriers. A previously developed risk assessment methodology constitutes the basis for the estimation of the risk contribution due to NaTech scenarios induced by severe flooding in industrial areas. The role of flooding protection measures (e.g., attaching vessels to concrete slabs or ground anchors, curbs, embankments, etc.) is discussed with an example of risk-informed decision making, also providing relevant criteria for the appropriate plant design to limit the potential impact of floods on process and storage equipment vulnerability.