Residents Of Flood-prone Areas Research Articles

Factors of influence on flood risk perceptions related to Hurricane Dorian: an assessment of heuristics, time dynamics, and accuracy of risk perceptions

Abstract. Flood damage caused by hurricanes is expected to rise globally due to climate and socio-economic change. Enhanced flood preparedness among the coastal population is required to reverse this trend. The decisions and actions taken by individuals are thought to be influenced by risk perceptions. This study investigates the determinants that shape flood risk perceptions and the factors that drive flood risk misperceptions of coastal residents. We conducted a survey among 871 residents in flood-prone areas in Florida during a 5 d period in which the respondents were threatened to be flooded by Hurricane Dorian. This approach allows us to assess temporal dynamics in flood risk perceptions during an evolving hurricane threat. Among 255 of the same households, a follow-up survey was conducted to examine how flood risk perceptions varied after Hurricane Dorian failed to make landfall in Florida. Our results show that the flood experience and social norms have the most consistent relationship with flood risk perceptions. Furthermore, participants indicated that their level of worry regarding the dangers of flooding decreased after the near-miss of Hurricane Dorian compared to their feelings of worry during the hurricane event. Based on our findings, we offer recommendations for improving flood risk communication policies.

Factors motivating residents of flood-prone areas to adopt nature-based solutions for flood-risk reduction

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are promising measures for protecting, sustainably managing, and restoring ecosystems as well as addressing societal challenges, including climate change mitigation and adaptation. To consider mainstream NbS for use in disaster risk reduction (DRR) infrastructures, the affected residents' perception and attitude toward NbS are key factors. This study analyzes the attitude of residents in flood-prone areas toward three types of NbSs for addressing flood risk reduction: kasumitei, retarding basins, and flood-protection forests. In addition, the protection motivation theory and structural-equation modeling (SEM) were employed to examine factors influencing residents' desire for NbS from comprehensive explanatory variables. A total of 1828 samples were collected through postal mail survey. The results support the tested hypothesis, that is, individual attributes and perceptual/social factors affecting the participants' desire for the three NbS through flood-threat and coping appraisals. The perception of response efficacy, including effectiveness against flood and other natural benefits from NbS, strongly affect the respondents' desire for NbS, while the perception of disadvantages display a negative effect. Moreover, SEM was used to integrally analyze the different explanatory factors and identify those that could enhance people's desire for NbS, such as the perceived presence of local NbS, cognition of recent increase in flood events, past flood experience, gender, and social capital. These findings can help identify effective and practical methods for enhancing residents' understanding and desire for NbS, including the opportunity to learn about local and authentic NbS, with various benefits as well as interactive communication on NbS for DRR.

Gambaran Tingkat Kecemasan pada Masyarakat Daerah Rawan Banjir di Pucang Sawit Surakarta

Background: According to BPBD Surakarta in 2022, the city of Surakarta is in third place for flood disasters, after the earthquake disaster at number one and the volcanic eruption disaster at number two. Several villages in Surakarta were affected by flooding, namely Pasar Kliwon, Laweyan, Serengan, Pucang Sawit, Gandekan, Sangkrah and Jebres subdistricts. Floods can threaten and disrupt people's lives by causing loss of life, environmental damage, property loss, and psychological effects. The level of anxiety in flood-prone areas in Surakarta, especially in Nusupan Hamlet, Kadokan Village, most respondents experienced moderate anxiety (55.7%). Anxiety is caused by unforeseen disasters. Objective: To describe the characteristics of the community and the level of anxiety among residents in flood-prone areas in Pucang Sawit, Surakarta. Method: This research method is descriptive with a population of 387, a sample size of 88 respondents. Results: There was no anxiety for 49 respondents (55.7%), mild anxiety for 25 respondents (28.4%), anxiety for 8 respondents (9.1%), severe anxiety for 5 respondents (5.7%), very severe anxiety 1 respondent (1.1%). Conclusion: residents who live in flood-prone areas experience mild-moderate anxiety and most experience no anxiety

Defining affordability and adaptation resource prioritisation

Across Europe there is an increasing behavioural turn in flood risk management, focussing on individual behaviour and responsibilities. For example, a greater focus on implementing property-level resilience measures. A conclusion from this trend is that there are additional burdens being placed on the residents of flood-prone areas, in the hope of reducing their overall burden; therefore, we must understand the burden that is being created as we can unintentionally create new patterns of inequality in terms of who is and is not protected if certain individuals can be judged to be overburdened. This is particularly relevant in the aftermath of disaster events when there is a push to build resilience. One concept for measuring this aspect of the burden generated is affordability, which seeks to define and measure what a suitable burden on an actor is, and then can be targeted for additional assistance, for example, loans, vouchers, or subsidies to eliminate the burden. The concept of affordability can be used to identify how to best spend resources after a disaster event to support a process of ‘building back better’; however, the way this burden can be defined and addressed can also be influenced by different social justice considerations and definitions. This research explores the implications of different social justice concepts for defining what is a reasonable burden that can be placed on the individuals expected to adapt to and limit flood impacts and on the policy strategies and outcomes.

The Discharge Forecasting of Multiple Monitoring Station for Humber River by Hybrid LSTM Models

An early warning flood forecasting system that uses machine-learning models can be utilized for saving lives from floods, which are now exacerbated due to climate change. Flood forecasting is carried out by determining the river discharge and water level using hydrologic models at the target sites. If the water level and discharge are forecasted to reach dangerous levels, the flood forecasting system sends warning messages to residents in flood-prone areas. In the past, hybrid Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models have been successfully used for the time series forecasting. However, the prediction errors grow exponentially with the forecasting period, making the forecast unreliable as an early warning tool with enough lead time. Therefore, this research aimed to improve the accuracy of flood forecasting models by employing real-time monitoring network datasets and establishing temporal and spatial links between adjacent monitoring stations. We evaluated the performance of the LSTM, the Convolutional Neural Networks LSTM (CNN-LSTM), the Convolutional LSTM (ConvLSTM), and the Spatio-Temporal Attention LSTM (STA-LSTM) models for flood forecasting. The dataset, employed for validation, includes hourly discharge records, from 2012 to 2017, on six stations of the Humber River in the City of Toronto, Canada. Experiments included forecasting for both 6 and 12 h ahead, using discharge data as input for the past 24 h. The STA-LSTM model’s performance was superior to the CNN-LSTM, the ConvLSTM, and the basic LSTM models when the forecast time was longer than 6 h.

Implications of Flooding on the Socio-Economic Status of Residents in Flood Prone Areas in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

This study examined the implications of flooding on the socio-economic status of residents in flood prone areas in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The study specifically described the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; examine the effects of flooding on the socio-economic variables of the respondents; and identify the approaches to curtail flooding effects in flood prone areas. A multistage sampling technique was employed in the selection of six flood prone communities in Bayelsa State, and 20 respondents were randomly selected from each community given a total of 120 respondents as the sample size. Primary data were sourced through questionnaires. Descriptive statistical tools were used for the analysis. The findings showed that 54.2% of the respondents were between the age range of 31-40 years with a mean age of 32 years; they are gender inexclusive with male having 55.8% and female 44.2%. 54.2% were married, most of them are literate with 41.6%, and 54.2% had household size between the range of 4-6 persons. 50.8%, 39.1% and 33.3% of the respondents agreed that the effect of flooding on income, farmland and food insecurity respectively were very high; Traditional crafts like boat building, houses, business centers, roadsided businesses and pond fishing were high with 38.3%, 32.5%, 33.3%, 43.3% and 31.6% respectively; local industries like alcohol preparation, animal husbandry, training centers, fishery (artisanal), construction works and processing industries were average with 50.8%, 46.7%, 45.5%, 31.6%, 50% and 33.3% respectively; educational institutions, health, water, price of commodities (food produce), local marketing and transportation were very high with 46.7%, 33.3%, 43.3%, 32.5%, 39.4% and 46.7%; implying that their socio-economic variables output will be very low ( an inverse relationship) as a result of flooding effect. Furthermore, the results showed that all respondents agreed with the listed approaches as ways to curtail the effects of flood in flood prone areas, with a criterion mean score of > 2.50. The study concluded that flood have adverse effect on socio-economic variables of the respondents. It was recommended that, building of resilience walls, culverts and drainage channels around the affected communities, land reclamation, elevated foundation of building for residents, government intervention responses plans and standard road network should be provided.

Implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Flood-Prone Areas in Camarines Sur: Basis for Policy Recommendations

The study determined the Level of Implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in Flood-Prone Areas in Camarines Sur, Philippines. Specifically, the study focused on the level of implementation and problems encountered in four thematic areas of DRRM, namely: Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Rehabilitation and Recovery. The Descriptive-Evaluative Inferential Method was used in the study. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was used in gathering the data. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined by means of Kuder Richardson Formula. The same was validated by academic experts well-versed in the topic and disaster management practitioners. Purposive or selective sampling was used in choosing the MDRRMC while convenience sampling was the sampling technique used for community residents. One hundred twenty-one (121) members of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and three hundred (300) residents in flood-prone areas in Camarines Sur, Philippines were the respondents of the study. The population represented by the 300 respondents were household members specifically, the head of the family. Frequency count, percentage, rank, weighted mean, and Wilcoxon Mann Whitney U-Test were the statistical tools used in the study. Findings revealed that DRRM Programs were implemented in flood-prone areas in Camarines Sur namely, Milaor, San Fernando, Libmanan, Sipocot, Camaligan, Canaman, Magarao, Buhi, Nabua and Iriga City. Conversely, some of the problems encountered by the respondents on four thematic areas rated as “Serious” were: lack of community drills, inadequate disaster facilities and equipment, poor implementation of laws, absence of Standard Operation Manual, inadequate community warning system, lack of disaster response vehicles, and the reluctance of residents to pre-emptively evacuate.

Less is More? Evaluating Technical Aspects and User Experiences of Smart Flood Risk Assessment Tools

<p>In light of several recent large-scale flooding events worldwide, the urgency of involving residents in the flood risk management debate is growing. However, this has so far proven to be problematic, mainly because of lacking or ineffective communication between stakeholders. One way to better involve residents in the flood risk management debate is by developing smart applications, dedicated to facilitate and increase the insights of residents into the flood risk and vulnerability of their private properties. However, what is lacking thus far is a systematic evaluation of the technical aspects and the user experiences of such tools. The goal of this article is to explore and evaluate the technical, analytical, and communicative qualities of smart flood risk assessment tools. To this end, a new smart application named FLOODLABEL is used, aiming to inform residents of flood-prone areas about potential flood risks and associated protection measures of their dwellings. Based on this, the article concludes that a smart application like FLOODLABEL can be beneficial for informing residents about flood risks and potential protection measures. However, it also shows that a one-size-fits-all approach is not suitable for informing residents on flood risks, inter alia because how residents perceive risks is not homogeneous. This research is therefore just the first step towards a more systematic evaluation method of smart applications.</p>

Demonstration of Stormwater Management Technology by Short-Term Rainfall Prediction and Real-Time Runoff Analysis System Using Small X-Band Radar

We developed a system that combines urban area rainfall radar (small X-band, dual-polarization radar), short-term rainfall prediction model, and real-time runoff analysis technology, and the demonstration study was conducted on the drainage districts in Fukui City and Toyama City. We demonstrated the effectiveness of the flood damage, by providing the real-time information on rainfall prediction, water level in sewerage pipes, and inland flood prediction to the operators of drainage pump of stormwater storage pipes, and residents in flood-prone areas. During the study for about two years, it was confirmed that the accuracy of the radar rainfall observation was comparable to that of the X-band dual-polarization Doppler weather radar managed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. In the operation of the drainage pump for the Tsukimiminori Stormwater Storage Pipe in Fukui City, we were able to secure the storage capacity for the next rainfall based on the forecast information by maximizing the drainage capacity of the discharge destination. In addition, it was also confirmed that the residents themselves could secure the lead time for setting up water-stop sandbags and moving their vehicles to higher ground.

A Perceptual Analysis of Communication and Natural Disasters Awareness across Communities in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State

This study is designed to access communication and natural disasters awareness in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State with emphasis on erosion and flooding issues in communities in the senatorial district. The study examined the information channels available to the people, especially on erosion and flooding control, and to know their perception towards these natural or man-made disasters. This objective of the study stems from the dangerous effects of erosion and flooding in Edo North and the perceived nonchalant attitude of the people towards their environment. Anchored on the survey method, the population of the study includes three hundred and thirty (330) residents spread across the local governments in Edo North Senatorial district of Edo State. The respondents were selected based on their residential status and without recourse to any particular demographic variable. The study recommends that even though the study found out that there is a good knowledge of what natural disaster means among the residents studied, it is important to recommend that the media in collaboration with various government agencies, especially the metrological agency to issue early warnings to residents in flood-prone areas as this will enable them to prepare ahead. It is also recommended that the mass media help in packaging messages on disaster awareness in the local dialect of the people, especially on the radio as this will help the people to understand the situations better and react where necessary. Even in print, some of the posters and handbills should be written in the local language of the people and pictures taken from their immediate environment used as a reminder to them of the reality of the danger their environment faces. Keywords: Natural Disasters, Awareness, Erosion, Flooding, Communication DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-11-02 Publication date: November 30 th 2020

Let's talk about flood risk – Evaluating a series of workshops on private flood protection

Private flood protection measures can help reduce potential damage from flooding. Few intervention studies currently exist that systematically evaluate the effectiveness of risk communication methods. To address this gap, we evaluated a series of six workshops (N = 115) on private flood protection in flood-prone areas in Germany that covers different aspects of flood protection for individual households.Applying mixed-model analysis, significant increases in self-efficacy, subjective knowledge, and protection motivation were observed. Younger participants, as well as participants who reported lower levels of previous knowledge or no flood experience, showed a higher increase in self-efficacy and knowledge. Results suggest that a workshop can be an effective risk communication tool, raising awareness and motivating behaviour among residents of flood-prone areas.

Assessment of flood adaptive capacity of urban areas in Thailand

Urban floods have a significant impact on the economy, livelihoods, and daily activities. Despite extensive research on flood adaptation, there is a lack of consensus on ways to assess flood adaptive capacity. This research thus proposes an assessment framework of flood adaptive capacity of urban residents in flood-prone areas. The indicators are based on six components: economic resources, social capital, awareness and training, technology, infrastructure, and institutions and policies. The relevancy of the indicators was evaluated by experts in related fields, and a questionnaire was developed to collect data from a random sample of 230 households in 10 flood-prone municipalities in Thailand. Statistical analysis and structural equation modeling were subsequently performed to validate the components and indicators, and a flood-adaptability questionnaire was constructed. As a trial implementation, the questionnaire was applied to a target flood-prone municipality, Phetchaburi, to assess its adaptive capacity to flooding, expressed as flood adaptive capacity index. The adaptive capacity of Phetchaburi municipality to flooding was found to be high indicating the improvement in economic resources and infrastructure components. These findings reveal that the proposed framework is suitable for assessing the flood adaptive capacity of urban residents and useful for integrated flood risk assessment and management.

Studying residents’ flood risk perceptions and sense of place to inform public participation in a Dutch river restoration project

ABSTRACT Public participation is becoming increasingly important in integrative river restoration projects. However, studies show that flood risk awareness is generally low among residents of flood-prone areas, making it (more) difficult for project managers to involve the public. We contribute to understanding this generally low flood risk perception by carrying out a survey (N = 631) among residents in a Dutch floodplain and studying the connection between flood risk perception and sense of place. We found that expected damage is influenced by (collective) memory of near-floods and that residents with a high self- and group efficacy expect less damage. Against our hypothesis, we conclude that sense of place hardly influences flood risk perception, only nature bonding does. We recommend further research to study the complex relationships between flood risk perception, sense of place and self-efficacy from a theoretical need, but also because of the implications of these results for communication in flood risk management and motivations to engage in participation processes.

Commitments increase preparedness for floods.

The current study investigated whether we could encourage Australian residents to become better prepared for floods by inviting them to make a specific commitment to do so. We sampled 374 residents of the state of Victoria (56% male, 81% metropolitan) and 400 residents of the state of New South Wales (45% male, 59% metropolitan) who lived in locations that were potentially at risk of floods. They residents were sampled so that their distributions of ages, genders and living locations were as representative as possible of the population of those two states. These residents completed two surveys that ascertained their preparedness for floods at two points in time, separate by a two-week period. At the end of the first survey all residents received information about how they could better prepare for floods. In addition, approximately half the residents were randomly selected to be invited to commit to becoming better prepared for floods. We found that 74% of residents who were invited to commit to becoming better prepared for floods, were willing to make this commitment. We found that the group that was invited to commit to become better prepared for floods increased their preparedness for floods over the two-week period that separated the two surveys more than the group that was not invited to make this commitment, F(1, 772) = 4.53, p = .034, η2 = .006. We conclude that when emergency services inform residents of flood-prone areas how to better prepare for floods, they should also attempt to elicit from the residents a commitment to become better prepared for floods.

Public Perception of Flood Risks and Disaster Preparedness in Lagos Megacity, Nigeria

Abstract Flood risks are considered as one of the most devastating natural disasters. Presently, flooding occurs in all the ecological zones in Nigeria which has been linked to global warming. In Lagos Megacity, the incidence of flooding is now a reoccurring decimal which is only an indication of the failure of the existing mechanism for flood risk reduction. Knowledge of public perception of flood risk is considered a crucial element for a proactive preparedness for flood risk reduction. This study is aimed at gaining insight into the public perception of flood risks for proactive flood risks preparedness among residents in flood prone areas in Lagos megacity, Nigeria. The survey research design was utilized. Data were collected by questionnaire from residents of flood prone neighbourhoods in the city. The results show high awareness of flood risks among respondents that have experienced flooding previously than respondents that have not experienced flooding in the past. It also reveals poor preparedness among respondents that have not experienced flooding. The paper calls for public awareness creation among residents in flood prone areas of the city as a strategy to promote preparedness for flood disaster risks reduction in the city.

A comparative analysis of flooding in Warri and Port Harcourt urban areas of the Niger Delta region in southern Nigeria

This paper provides a comparative analysis of flooding in Warri and Port Harcourt urban areas. The purpose is to isolate identical policies and strategies which may proof effective for flood mitigation in the two geographically related urban areas. The data used in the study were collected through field measurements, observations, interviews, and questionnaire administration and from the states’ agencies for flood management. Data analyses were based on descriptive statistical tools. Results revealed the flood characteristics, impacts, coping mechanisms and that risk-oriented planning which is essential for protection of floodplain occupants is neglected in the areas. The urban drainage systems are inadequate; the existing ones underperform and the municipal authorities have no well-articulated policies/arrangements through which repairs/maintenance/clearance of the drains would be regularly and speedily provided to ensure that they function properly and sustainably. Rehabilitation services are provided irregularly and in an ad hoc manner, based on the resources and priorities of the state governments. The paper recommends that governments and residents of flood-prone areas must address the key causes of deficits in urban drains and, in addition, intervene at critical stages of the flood build-up process in order to reduce flood damage and hasten storm water evacuation.

Effectiveness of an Awareness Programme on Knowledge of Disaster Preparedness in Low Lying Flood Prone Areas of Udupi

An evaluative study was conducted with an objective to assess the effectiveness of an awareness programme on knowledge and practices of disaster preparedness among residents of low-lying flood prone areas of Udupi Taluk. A pre-experimental one group pre-test post-test design was used. The sample included fifty eight subjects who were selected through purposive sampling. Pre-test data was collected by using a self-administered knowledge questionnaire. An awareness programme on disaster preparedness in floods was conducted and the post-test was conducted seven days later. The study found that the awareness programme was effective in improving the knowledge and practices of disaster preparedness among the residents of flood prone areas. The residents of flood prone areas have to be educated regarding disaster preparedness so that vulnerability to the consequences of floods can be reduced. As we are witnessing dramatic climatic changes these days, it is necessary to equip the vulnerable people with knowledge that can be reduce the ill effects of disasters, particularly floods.

Political affiliation affects adaptation to climate risks: Evidence from New York City

Research reveals that liberals and conservatives in the United States diverge about their beliefs regarding climate change. We show empirically that political affiliation also matters with respect to climate related risks such as flooding from hurricanes. Our study is based on a survey conducted 6 months after Superstorm Sandy in 2012 of over 1,000 residents in flood-prone areas in New York City. Democrats’ perception of their probability of suffering flood damage is significantly higher than Republicans’ and they are also more likely to invest in individual flood protection measures. However, 50% more Democrats than Republicans in our sample expect to receive federal disaster relief after a major flood. These results highlight the importance of taking into account value-based considerations in designing disaster risk management policies.

FLOOD MENACE IN KADUNA METROPOLIS: IMPACTS, REMEDIAL AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

This study assesses how Kaduna Metropolis have been affected by flood menace incidences as it takes a look at the devastating impacts, remedial and management strategies at curbing flooding in Kaduna Metropolis which has almost become a yearly occurrence. Data for this study were obtained from questionnaires, interviews, personal observation, archival records of ministries and newspaper reports. A total of 196 respondents, drawn from residents in flood prone areas, were sampled for this study. Descriptive statistics and Likert Rating System were used in the analyses of the data. The results of analyses show that floods in Kaduna Metropolis occur mostly at the event of rainfall intensity, especially at the peak of rainy season (September, 2015). And it takes 3 - 5days for the flood water to recede depending on the magnitude of event and receding factors in different areas. Factors other than rainfall identified to substantially influenced flooding in the study area are: Lack of and poor drainage networks, dumping of wastes/refuse in drainage and water channels, topographic characteristics, overflowing of river banks, low infiltration due to high water table and degree of built or up areas leading to increased runoffs, and climate change. Despite the flood hazards, occupants in flood prone have remained on the basis of having no alternative, cultural ethnic affinity, family home place where parent were buried, used to flooding as the whole area suffers from flooding, nature of occupation, and cheaper houses to rent. Personal properties and public infrastructures suffer all forms of flood damages. Flood remedial and management strategies include river re-channelization, raising house foundations, land use planning and management and public enlightenment are recommended measure to checkmate activities aiding flooding in Kaduna metropolis. Keywords : Flood, Menace, Infrastructure, Impacts, Remedial and Management Strategies.

Knowledge and Preventive Measures on Leptospirosis among Residents of Flood-Prone Areas in Davao City, Philippines

Leptospirosis has been recognized as an emerging global public healthproblem because of its increasing incidence in both developing and developedcountries. This study was conducted to determine the level of knowledge ofleptospirosis among residents of flood-prone areas in Davao City. Further, thisstudy determined the preventive measures undertaken by these residents andassessed whether these measures can be attributed to their knowledge on thedisease and to their demographic profile. The researchers used the descriptivecorrelationdesign and utilizedthreehundredfifteen randomly selected residents toanswera validatedthree-partSurveyQuestionnaire.Pearsonproductmomentcoefficientof correlationand Chi-Squarewereused to determine the relationship betweenthe respondents’knowledgeon leptospirosis,demographic profile andtheirpreventivemeasures.Findingsrevealedthattherespondentshavea moderatelevelof knowledgeon leptospirosisbut havea high levelof preventive measuresagainstitandthatthereisasignificantrelationshipbetweenthesetwo variables.Further,the study revealedthat among the demographic variables,onlyeducationalattainmentis significantlyassociatedtotherespondents’levelof knowledgeon leptospirosis. Moreover,analysis revealedthat sex, socio-economicstatusand length of stay in the areaaresignificantly associated to the respondents’ preventivemeasuresagainst leptospirosis. Keywords: Health, knowledge, preventive measures, leptospirosis, flood-prone areas,correlation study, Philippines