During the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Extraordinary Congress in October 2021, the Flash Flood Guidance System with Global Coverage (FFGS/WGC) has been put on a more sustainable footing after a decision by the Extraordinary World Meteorological Congress.   HRC is a partner in the development and implementation of the FFGS/WGC in collaboration with the WMO, U.S. Agency for International Development/Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Weather Service.  The FFGS/WGC was created to assist forecasters by providing the guidance needed to formulate and issue timely and accurate flash flood warnings.  The system can also be enhanced with components for the assessment of landslide threat, urban flash flooding, and riverine forecasting or routing (including a capability for seasonal to sub-seasonal flow prediction). HRC is the technical developer and implementer of the FFGS/WGC.

Mr. Robert Jubach of HRC was a co-author of the new Sustainability Strategy for the FFGS/WGC that sets out a vision and approach for the future development and implementation of  the FFGS in order to save lives and livelihoods. The Strategy was approved by the WMO Extraordinary World Meteorological Congress after receiving endorsement from the WMO Hydrological Assembly.  The approval of the Strategy is another positive step toward FFGS/WGC sustained support and enhancement.  HRC is involved in next steps which are the development of various supporting documents including a detailed plan for implementing the Strategy activities and tasks such as program governance, further development of  a global, regional, and national center approach, development of a research to operations process, and expansion of training programs.

For more information, please see the WMO press release.