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Preparing for flooding in England and Wales: the role of risk perception and the social context in driving individual action

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  • Alex Y. Lo

    (University of Hong Kong)

  • Faith Chan

    (University of Nottingham Ningbo China)

Abstract

Flooding is a major threat to the local communities in the UK, and the risks are increasing due to climate change. Encouraging homeowners to prepare for the consequences of catastrophic flooding is imperative. This study aims to examine the ways in which individuals’ risk perceptions and socio-cultural characteristics co-determine the preparedness for flood hazards. It is based on a social survey about household arrangements that can reduce the economic losses arising from flooding and enhance community resilience. A total of 485 responses were solicited from homeowners in England and Wales. Results confirm that the intention to act is socially motivated. This indicates the need for addressing the role of social networks and engagement with local community in enhancing community resilience to flooding. On the other hand, the effect of risk-related considerations is complicated. Perceived severity of flood damage is associated with intended actions, whereas risk characteristics are not. This implies that although providing relevant risk information to the public is crucial, appealing to the feelings of fears and uncertainties is less likely to be effective in driving actions for managing flood risks than has been usually assumed. The findings have practical implications for policy-making and climate risk communication.

Suggested Citation

  • Alex Y. Lo & Faith Chan, 2017. "Preparing for flooding in England and Wales: the role of risk perception and the social context in driving individual action," 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. 88(1), pages 367-387, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:88:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s11069-017-2870-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-017-2870-y
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    3. Steven Koop & Fabian Monteiro Gomes & Laura Schoot & Carel Dieperink & Peter Driessen & Kees Van Leeuwen, 2018. "Assessing the Capacity to Govern Flood Risk in Cities and the Role of Contextual Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-21, August.
    4. Zeynep Altinay & Eric Rittmeyer & Lauren L. Morris & Margaret A. Reams, 2021. "Public risk salience of sea level rise in Louisiana, United States," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 11(4), pages 523-536, December.
    5. Alex Y. Lo & Alice S. Y. Chow & Shuwen Liu & Lewis T. O. Cheung, 2019. "Community business resilience: adaptation practice of micro- and small enterprises around the Pearl River Estuary," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 157(3), pages 565-585, December.
    6. Paul Hudson & Annegret H. Thieken, 2022. "The presence of moral hazard regarding flood insurance and German private businesses," 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. 112(2), pages 1295-1319, June.
    7. Nina Baron, 2020. "Flood protection beyond protection against floods: how to make sense of controversies related to the building and maintenance of dikes in Denmark," 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. 103(1), pages 967-984, August.

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