Mud and debris flows constitute a serious threat for several Italian regions as attested by recent several disasters attributable to such phenomena. The adoption of effective mitigation measures is complicated by the difficulty in predicting spatial and intensity features of future events. This paper applies a practical application of debris/mud flows hazard assessment in the area of Messina province. The study was based on an inventory of several debris flows triggered by heavy rainfall occurred in the Giampilieri and Briga catchments after the event of October 1, 2009. Data elaboration was focused on mapping source areas and on assessing the runout of landslides and their intensity. An evaluation of the factors that make the area prone to these events was used as input for a GIS based hazard prediction model. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.