Flash Flood Guidance System with Global Coverage (FFGS)

The Flash Flood Guidance System with Global Coverage (FFGS) is a guidance tool in the cycle of an end-to-end early warning system. By facilitating timely and accurate flash flood warnings, it greatly contributes to the success of the global initiative known as "Early Warnings for All," aiming at reducing loss of life and destruction to property.

Since its inception in 2009, FFGS has made remarkable progress and now covers over 40% of the global population in more than 72 countries (2022). It also includes landslide, riverine, urban and seasonal to sub-seasonal modules, and extensive technical training programs on flash flood prediction for hydrometeorologist as well as disaster managers. So far, more than 1,000 experts have been trained in the FFGS and flash flood forecasting.  

WMO has developed FFGS in partnership with the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS)/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States Agency for International Development Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA), and the Hydrologic Research Center (HRC).