ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a concise account of events which have occurred. In the context of a flood catalogue, the decision as to whether to merge or to separate particular flood events is important for ranking. If one event is assumed, it can be placed very high in the ranking. The principal sources of flood-related information at the international level are the global databases, which are updated on a regular basis. Flood databases are undoubtedly very useful, but it is important to stress that the data included in them cannot be taken at face value. Caution is needed when interpreting the following lists of deadliest and costliest flood events. River flooding is the most common natural hazard that occurs in each country of Europe, raising broad interest. A plethora of national information regarding individual European floods is also used here, including data residing in national meteorological and hydrological services; and other national sources.
