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Drivers of basement flooding: Rainfall intensity and infrastructure impacts in Trelleborg, Sweden

Mobini, Shifteh LU orcid ; Pirzamanbin, Behnaz LU orcid ; Du, Yiheng and Nyberg, Lars (2026) In Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies 65. p.1-13
Abstract
Study region
Trelleborg is a mid-sized coastal municipality in southern Sweden that has experienced repeated pluvial flooding in recent decades. The city comprises areas served by both combined and separate sewer systems and is increasingly exposed to intense short-duration rainfall events. This study uses 17 years (2006–2023) of property-level flood reports, in situ rainfall observations from multiple local gauges, and detailed information on sewer system configuration and property type.
Study focus
The study investigates how rainfall characteristics and urban infrastructure are associated with flood frequency and recurrence at the property level. Flood reports were linked to rainfall event characteristics and analysed using... (More)
Study region
Trelleborg is a mid-sized coastal municipality in southern Sweden that has experienced repeated pluvial flooding in recent decades. The city comprises areas served by both combined and separate sewer systems and is increasingly exposed to intense short-duration rainfall events. This study uses 17 years (2006–2023) of property-level flood reports, in situ rainfall observations from multiple local gauges, and detailed information on sewer system configuration and property type.
Study focus
The study investigates how rainfall characteristics and urban infrastructure are associated with flood frequency and recurrence at the property level. Flood reports were linked to rainfall event characteristics and analysed using non-parametric statistical tests and tree-based models, including Poisson regression and classification trees. Rainfall intensities across multiple durations were evaluated to identify relevant temporal scales, while infrastructure and property characteristics were assessed as influencing factors.
New hydrological insights
Short-duration rainfall intensity, particularly at the 60-minute scale, is more strongly associated with flood frequency and recurrence than total rainfall volume. Higher 60-minute intensities are linked to increased numbers of reported cases and a greater likelihood of repeated flooding at affected properties. Flooding was observed across a wide range of rainfall conditions, including events below nominal design thresholds, indicating that moderate rainfall can still result in substantial impacts. The results further show that flood recurrence is influenced by interactions between rainfall intensity and property characteristics. These findings provide empirical evidence on rainfall–infrastructure interactions in Trelleborg and support improved urban drainage assessment and adaptation planning. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies
volume
65
article number
103512
pages
1 - 13
publisher
Elsevier
ISSN
2214-5818
DOI
10.1016/j.ejrh.2026.103512
project
Digital Transformation of Flood Prediction and Management in Trelleborg
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
b9c1a8d7-0de3-4e3a-8704-b9bffb501fb4
date added to LUP
2026-05-15 19:43:16
date last changed
2026-05-18 08:48:44
@article{b9c1a8d7-0de3-4e3a-8704-b9bffb501fb4,
  abstract     = {{Study region<br/>Trelleborg is a mid-sized coastal municipality in southern Sweden that has experienced repeated pluvial flooding in recent decades. The city comprises areas served by both combined and separate sewer systems and is increasingly exposed to intense short-duration rainfall events. This study uses 17 years (2006–2023) of property-level flood reports, in situ rainfall observations from multiple local gauges, and detailed information on sewer system configuration and property type.<br/>Study focus<br/>The study investigates how rainfall characteristics and urban infrastructure are associated with flood frequency and recurrence at the property level. Flood reports were linked to rainfall event characteristics and analysed using non-parametric statistical tests and tree-based models, including Poisson regression and classification trees. Rainfall intensities across multiple durations were evaluated to identify relevant temporal scales, while infrastructure and property characteristics were assessed as influencing factors.<br/>New hydrological insights<br/>Short-duration rainfall intensity, particularly at the 60-minute scale, is more strongly associated with flood frequency and recurrence than total rainfall volume. Higher 60-minute intensities are linked to increased numbers of reported cases and a greater likelihood of repeated flooding at affected properties. Flooding was observed across a wide range of rainfall conditions, including events below nominal design thresholds, indicating that moderate rainfall can still result in substantial impacts. The results further show that flood recurrence is influenced by interactions between rainfall intensity and property characteristics. These findings provide empirical evidence on rainfall–infrastructure interactions in Trelleborg and support improved urban drainage assessment and adaptation planning.}},
  author       = {{Mobini, Shifteh and Pirzamanbin, Behnaz and Du, Yiheng and Nyberg, Lars}},
  issn         = {{2214-5818}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{1--13}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies}},
  title        = {{Drivers of basement flooding: Rainfall intensity and infrastructure impacts in Trelleborg, Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2026.103512}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.ejrh.2026.103512}},
  volume       = {{65}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}