Effect of cost–benefit perceptions on evacuation preparedness for urban flood disasters

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and climate change have resulted in disastrous flood situations in Southeast Asia, and have caused considerable loss of life and property. To mitigate flood damage, evacuation of the area may sometimes be recommended. However, inhabitants' willingness and preparedness to evacuate flood-prone areas has yet to be investigated comprehensively. In this study, the factors that determine people's intention to prepare for evacuation in case of urban flood disasters are investigated by a questionnaire survey of people living in the Minato, Shinagawa, Meguro, and Ota wards located in the Jyonan area river basin of Tokyo. The results of the covariance structure analysis reveal that the higher the “interest in flood damage” and the “benefit perception” of evacuation behavior, the more people tend to consider evacuation preparation. Thus, the study results can be used to prepare strategies to mitigate flood damage in the future.