Using QGIS, you can load a WMS directly into your existing map.

Note: For EFAS users →  you will need to retrieve your wms access token through the web interface as explained in Credentials for accessing CEMS-Flood WMS-T (Web Map Service Time) to use EFAS WMS in QGIS.


Quick start guide (QGIS v.3.2)

1) Launch QGIS

2) In the browser panel right-click on the WMS/WMTS icon


2) In the Create a New WMS/WMTS Connection window insert a title for your WMS connection in the Name section and paste the WMS URL in the URL section then click OK.

For EFAS, the url will be the one you obtained from your credentials (see the note above), and for GloFAS enter https://ows.globalfloods.eu/glofas-ows/ows.py? (this example).


3) At this point in the browser panel under the WMS/WMTS icon you should see the title for the WMS connection that you have entered (GloFAS for this example). Click on the arrow near the WMS connection to open it. You should see the EFAS WMS layers as follow:


4) To view the layers simply drag and drop the layer icon into the 'Layers' panel underneath the 'Browser' panel, the layer will be displayed in the 'Map' Panel as shown:


5) In the 'Layer' panel you can see the legend associated with each layer underneath the name of the layer.


6) Some of the layers are queryable, in order to retrieve the info for the layer:

  • Select the layer from the Layers tab (the layer name needs to be highlighted)
  • In the main toolbar locate the info button
  • Click on any feature of the layer in the Map Panel and the Identify result window will open with the information for the layer



Further documentation on how to use QGIS can be found in this training manual.