Komuscu, Ali Umran (Research Department, Turkish State Meteorological Service)
╟elik, Seyfullah (Department of Weather Forecasting, Turkish State Meteorological Service)
Erkan, Ayhan (Research Department, Turkish State Meteorological Service)
The evolution of the synoptic settings that produced disastrous flash flooding in Izmir on 3-4 November 1995 is presented. A series of intense rainstorms moved over the Aegean coast of Turkey on 3-4 November 1995, causing a devastating flash flood which claimed lives of 61 people and more than 20 million dollars of residential and comercial property damage in Izmir and vicinity. Analyses of conventional upper-air data show a warm-air advection extending over the Aegean coast. Surface meso-analysis identified a presence of a deep low-pressure system over the Aegean Sea, and a squall line which developed in addition to the low-pressure system set the stage for thunderstorm activity. The outflow boundary produced by the squall line became stationary over Izmir and focused the heavy rainfall over a relativelly small region. The intensity of the storms were enhanced further by the Yamanlar Mountain, surrounding the city in north. Besides the meteorological conditions, inefficiency of the infrastructure, improper land-use conditions, housing in the flood-prone zone, and lack of early warning system in the city contributed significantly to the high death totals and considerable property damages.