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Types of Behavior of Flood Victims around Floodwaters. Correlation with Situational and Demographic Factors

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  • Michalis Diakakis

    (Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Panepistimioupoli Zografou, Athens, Greece)

Abstract

Recently, human behavior around floodwaters has been acknowledged as one of the factors that influence the risk of fatal incidents. The present study analyzes the behavior of flood victims by developing a systematic classification of their actions at the time of the flood. Based on this taxonomy, the study examines a flood fatality database for Greece (1960–2019) to quantify the different types of behavior and to examine potential correlations with various demographical and situational factors. Results show that three-quarters of the victims exhibit a risk-taking behavior by deliberately coming in contact with floodwaters. Statistically significant associations were found between behavior and the demographics of the victims, the type surrounding environment, and the use of vehicles, indicating that certain situations and certain individuals are more prone to risk-taking behaviors than others. A statistical model shows that the behavior of a flood victim can be predicted with high accuracy by knowing certain variables of a fatal incident. The prevalence of risk-taking actions identified is a strong indication that human behavior is a crucial factor in flood mortality. The present study shows that a systematic classification of behaviors can help future interventions by highlighting the most common mechanisms of fatal incidents.

Suggested Citation

  • Michalis Diakakis, 2020. "Types of Behavior of Flood Victims around Floodwaters. Correlation with Situational and Demographic Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4409-:d:364188
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael Siegrist & Heinz Gutscher, 2008. "Natural Hazards and Motivation for Mitigation Behavior: People Cannot Predict the Affect Evoked by a Severe Flood," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(3), pages 771-778, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michalis Diakakis & Michalis Skordoulis & Petros Kyriakopoulos, 2022. "Public Perceptions of Flood and Extreme Weather Early Warnings in Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Michalis Diakakis & Katerina Papagiannaki, 2021. "Characteristics of Indoor Flood Fatalities: Evidence from Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-15, August.
    3. Yesen Liu & Yaohuan Huang & Jinhong Wan & Zhenshan Yang & Xiaolei Zhang, 2020. "Analysis of Human Activity Impact on Flash Floods in China from 1950 to 2015," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Shi Chang & Rohan Singh Wilkho & Nasir Gharaibeh & Garett Sansom & Michelle Meyer & Francisco Olivera & Lei Zou, 2023. "Environmental, climatic, and situational factors influencing the probability of fatality or injury occurrence in flash flooding: a rare event logistic regression predictive model," 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. 116(3), pages 3957-3978, April.
    5. Katerina Papagiannaki & Michalis Diakakis & Vassiliki Kotroni & Kostas Lagouvardos & Giorgos Papagiannakis, 2021. "The Role of Water Depth Perception in Shaping Car Drivers’ Intention to Enter Floodwaters: Experimental Evidence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-14, April.

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