Alert systems would warn Europe against natural disasters and help minimise their effects. This was the message Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, gave at a public hearing in the European Parliament in Brussels. The hearing, 'Natural Disasters - How should Europe Respond' focused on how the EU could best prepare for future events. The EEA has mapped the effects of natural disasters in Europe between 1998-2003. During this period, for example, Europe suffered about 100 damaging floods causing 700 fatalities, the displacement of about half a million people and at least 25 billion EUR in insured economic loss.