Reliability of flood damage estimations across spatial scales Natural extreme events are an integral part of nature on planet earth. Usually these events are only considered hazardous to humans in case they are exposed. In this case however natural hazards can have devastating impacts on human societies. Especially hydro meteorological hazards have a high damage potential in form of e.g. riverine and pluvial floods winter storms hurricanes and tornadoes which can occur all over the globe. Along with an increasingly warm climate also an increase in extreme weather which potentially triggers natural hazards can be expected. Yet not only changing natural systems but also changing societal systems contribute to an increasing risk associated with these hazards. These can comprise increasing exposure and possibly also increasing vulnerability to the impacts of natural events. Thus appropriate risk management is required to adapt all parts of society to existing and upcoming risks at various spatial scales. One essential part of risk management is the risk assessment including the estimation…