Raising risk preparedness by flood risk communication

Abstract

Abstract. During the last decade, most European countries have produced hazard maps of natural hazards, but little is known about how to communicate these maps most efficiently to the public. In October 2011, Zurich's local authorities informed owners of buildings located in the urban flood hazard zone about potential flood damage, the probability of flood events and protection measures. The campaign was based on the assumptions that informing citizens increases their risk awareness and that citizens who are aware of risks are more likely to undertake actions to protect themselves and their property.This study is intended as a contribution to better understand the factors that influence flood risk preparedness, with a special focus on the effects of such a one-way risk communication strategy. We conducted a standardized mail survey of 1500 property owners in the hazard zones in Zurich (response rate main survey: 34 %). The questionnaire included items to measure respondents' risk awareness, risk preparedness, flood experience, information-seeking behaviour, knowledge about flood risk, evaluation of the information material, risk acceptance, attachment to the property and trust in local authorities. Data about the type of property and sociodemographic variables were also collected.Multivariate data analysis revealed that the average level of risk awareness and preparedness was low, but the results confirmed that the campaign had a statistically significant effect on the level of preparedness. The main influencing factors on the intention to prepare for a flood were the extent to which respondents evaluated the information material positively as well as their risk awareness. Respondents who had never taken any previous interest in floods were less likely to read the material. For future campaigns, we therefore recommend repeated communication that is tailored to the information needs of the target population.

Resilient flood risk strategies: institutional preconditions for implementation

“…The authorities can facilitate this role by providing the inhabitants with clear and specific information about possible flood events and how to act in case of an emergency. Such a communication strategy will raise their risk awareness, and thereby likely contribute to improved preparedness (Maidl and Buchecker 2015). A higher risk awareness could, in turn, contribute to (the continued) political support for implementation of the resilient strategy.…”

How well do the wider public accept integrated flood risk management? An empirical study in two Swiss Alpine valleys

“…In a very recent study (Maidl and Buchecker, 2015), the effectiveness of an information campaign around flood hazard maps and legal implications of individual prevention measures, which targeted at-risk property owners in Zü rich city, was evaluated with similar results. The property owners also appeared not to be prepared to implement individual prevention measures.…”

“…Our study aimed to find out the extent to which the affected population supports the main messages of integrated flood risk management, how it assesses the effectiveness of different prevention measures, and which factors, including different forms of risk communication, foster positive attitudes towards non-structural prevention measures. Existing studies, including those on risk awareness (Maidl and Buchecker, 2015;Terpstra, 2011;Siegrist and Gutscher, 2006;Kreibich et al, 2007), lead us to expect locals' information behaviour to be a relevant factor influencing their attitudes towards integrated flood risk management, together with their past (emotional) experience with floods, and their trust in authorities.…”

Towards impact-based flood forecasting and warning in Bangladesh: a case study at the local level in Sirajganj district

“…Cools et al, 2016;Fakhruddin et al, 2015;Maidl and Buchecker, 2015;Dewan, 2014;Rahman et al, 2012;Basher, 2006. In the Bangladesh context, the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is responsible to collect and maintain risk information and assessments. Recently, DDM improved their risk assessment through the Multi-Hazard Risk and Development Board (BWDB), is the agency entitled to monitor and forecast water levels (WLs).…”

“…In the direction of IBFW, researches shows that the local community in Bangladesh do implement risk mitigation actions based on local experience as long as location-specific information for the oncoming hazard are issued (Cumiskey et al, 2015;Fakhruddin et al, 2015;Maidl and Buchecker, 2015;Oktari et al, 2014;Shah et al, 2012). The CBA has limitations.…”