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Flood Perception and Mitigation: The Role of Severity, Agency, and Experience in the Purchase of Flood Protection, and the Communication of Flood Information

Author

Listed:
  • Emma Soane

    (Department of Management, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, England)

  • Iljana Schubert

    (Department of Leadership, HRM and Organisation, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames KT 7LB, England)

  • Peter Challenor

    (National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, England)

  • Rebecca Lunn

    (University of Strathclyde, John Anderson Campus, 16 Richmond Street, Glasgow G1 1XQ, Scotland)

  • Sunitha Narendran

    (Department of Leadership, HRM and Organisation, Kingston University, Kingston Hill, Kingston upon Thames KT2 7LB, England)

  • Simon Pollard

    (Cranfield University, Collaborative Centre of Excellence in Understanding and Managing Natural and Environmental Risks, Cranfield MK43 0AL, England)

Abstract

Protection of human life and property from flooding is a strategic priority in the UK. We examine how to encourage home owners to protect themselves and their residences. A model of factors that influence the decision to buy flood-protection devices is tested using survey data from 2109 home owners. The results show that the majority of respondents have not purchased domestic flood protection ( N = 1732; 82.1%). Purchase of flood-protection devices was influenced by age; perceived seriousness; and beliefs about, and trust in, the role of regulators in managing flooding. In younger respondents the perceived seriousness of the dangers of flooding acted as precursors and barriers to action depending on individual sense of responsibility and agency. The second part of the study examines responsiveness to information. Information about flooding alone was insufficient to promote behavioural change, particularly among people who had not experienced a flood or who believed that they were not in a flood zone. Implications for understanding flood protection, managing agency issues, and flood-communication campaigns are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Emma Soane & Iljana Schubert & Peter Challenor & Rebecca Lunn & Sunitha Narendran & Simon Pollard, 2010. "Flood Perception and Mitigation: The Role of Severity, Agency, and Experience in the Purchase of Flood Protection, and the Communication of Flood Information," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 42(12), pages 3023-3038, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:42:y:2010:i:12:p:3023-3038
    DOI: 10.1068/a43238
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna Scolobig & Vanesa Castán Broto & Aiora Zabala, 2008. "Integrating Multiple Perspectives in Social Multicriteria Evaluation of Flood-Mitigation Alternatives: The Case of Malborghetto-Valbruna," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 26(6), pages 1143-1161, December.
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    3. Levin, Irwin P. & Gaeth, Gary J. & Schreiber, Judy & Lauriola, Marco, 2002. "A New Look at Framing Effects: Distribution of Effect Sizes, Individual Differences, and Independence of Types of Effects," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 88(1), pages 411-429, May.
    4. Kunreuther, Howard C. & Michel-Kerjan, Erwann O., 2011. "At War with the Weather: Managing Large-Scale Risks in a New Era of Catastrophes," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262516543, December.
    5. Howard Kunreuther & Mark Pauly, 2004. "Neglecting Disaster: Why Don't People Insure Against Large Losses?," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 28(1), pages 5-21, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Carolyn Mann & S. E. Wolfe, 2016. "Risk Perceptions and Terror Management Theory: Assessing Public Responses to Urban Flooding in Toronto, Canada," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(8), pages 2651-2670, June.
    2. Thomas Beery, 2018. "Engaging the Private Homeowner: Linking Climate Change and Green Stormwater Infrastructure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Michele Marconi & Beatrice Gatto & Michele Magni & Fausto Marincioni, 2016. "A rapid method for flood susceptibility mapping in two districts of Phatthalung Province (Thailand): present and projected conditions for 2050," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 81(1), pages 329-346, March.
    4. Michele Marconi & Beatrice Gatto & Michele Magni & Fausto Marincioni, 2016. "A rapid method for flood susceptibility mapping in two districts of Phatthalung Province (Thailand): present and projected conditions for 2050," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 81(1), pages 329-346, March.

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