A new study published in the International Journal of River Basin Management has proposed a governance roadmap to help Europe better manage the increasing threat of flooding. The research highlights that in 2024 alone, flood-related disasters caused more than 8,700 deaths and over 450 billion euros in economic losses globally, with cumulative losses reaching approximately 2.7 trillion euros over the past decade. In Europe, recent flooding events—ranging from large river floods in rural areas to sudden flash floods in cities—have revealed weaknesses in current flood protection systems and emergency response strategies. The study draws lessons from major European flood events since 2007, using a unified framework called Integrated Flood Risk Management (IFRM), which considers flood hazards, exposure, vulnerability, and governance responses across multiple countries. The research identifies five key themes: the increasing frequency of riverine and flash floods in urban areas; the impact of urbanization and poor drainage systems; the influence of extreme weather caused by climate change; challenges in spreading early warnings to the public; and the wide variation in how different regions cope with flood risks. These findings suggest that flood risk is not only determined by the amount of rainfall but also by where and how societies build, govern, and prepare for such events. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable, as the study shows that the placement of people and critical infrastructure in flood-prone zones, combined with drainage systems unable to handle extreme rainfall, significantly increases the impact of floods. While advances in early-warning technologies like cell broadcasting have improved alert systems, the challenge remains in ensuring that these warnings reach and are effectively used by both institutions and the public. The study also notes that flood recovery and resilience vary across Europe, influenced by factors such as infrastructure quality, institutional strength, insurance coverage, and economic resources. This means that even similar floods can have very different effects depending on the region, emphasizing the need to address social and economic disparities in flood preparedness and response planning. The research proposes a shared governance strategy that includes better integration of flood risk data into urban planning, more effective warning systems, stronger critical infrastructure, and greater collaboration and data sharing across river basins. It emphasizes that building flood resilience requires not just better technology and knowledge, but also improved planning, communication, and governance at all levels.