Household Responses to Extreme Flash Flooding: a Case Study From North Yorkshire, England (PAP014377)

Código

PAP014377

Autores

Jonathan Hopkins

Tema

Flood resilient societies through community preparedness

Resumo

Flash floods are a dangerous, unpredictable and damaging hazard which pose a growing threat to communities as a result of climatic warming. Within the UK (and in other countries within Europe), policy changes have led to the public taking on more responsibility for managing flood risks, as the limitations and expense of flood defences have become apparent. Despite this, there is evidence that property-level responses to flood events are low within the UK (e.g. Harries, 2012). A greater understanding of household-level responses to flash floods, and the hazard perceptions of residents affected by flash flooding, are therefore particularly important. This paper presents the findings of mixed methods research which took place within flash flood-affected communities in North Yorkshire, England. A major flood caused severe damage and disruption in Helmsley and upper Ryedale in June 2005. An integration of qualitative (interview) and quantitative (questionnaire survey) data analyses shows that experience of a flash flood does not necessary lead to increased risk perception, or the uptake of significant property-level mitigation measures. Residents' knowledge of flood warning and information services was found to be low. Increased awareness of river levels, rainfall, weather forecasts and low-cost measures were the most common responses to flash flooding. Experience of recent, frequent floods was a key factor associated with increased flood risk perception and some responses to flash flooding. Where a flash flood is seen as a one-off event, in the context of local residents' knowledge and awareness of past flood events (and hydrological records of high flow events), significant responses to the flood may not occur. Furthermore, despite widespread perceptions of increasing summer rainfall and more frequent heavy rainfall, residents were more likely to relate flood risk to the poor maintenance of rivers, rather than climate change. Other factors associated with responses to flash flooding include personal attitudes, demographic factors and experience with flash flooding. It is clearly unreasonable for governments to expect the public to spend money to protect themselves from events which they do not expect to occur again. Increased awareness of the local environment is, however, a useful response to flash flooding. There may be potential to facilitate the collection and distribution of local knowledge about past flood events, following the 'flood histories' and 'sustainable flood memory' approach of McEwen et al. (2012), in order to increase the awareness of local flood risks. Further research into the ways that the public respond to flash floods is essential, so that authorities can improve strategies to manage and respond to these events. Key references: Harries, T. (2012). Why Most 'At-Risk' Homeowners Do Not Protect Their Homes from Flooding. In J. Lamond., Booth, C., Hammond, F., & Proverbs, D. (Eds.), Flood Hazards: Impacts and Responses for the Built Environment (pp 327-341). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. McEwen et al. (2012, July). Flood histories, flood memories and informal flood knowledge in the development of community resilience to future flood risk. Paper presented at British Hydrological Society Eleventh National Symposium, Hydrology for a changing World, Dundee. http://www.hydrology.org.uk/assets/2012%20papers/McEwen_34.pdf.