Flood risk communication - final project report

The focus of this research project was informed by the findings of earlier BNHCRC research that investigated human fatalities from natural disasters (Haynes et al., 2017). This project focused on the two behaviours most frequently associated with flood fatalities: 1. Driving into floodwater in a motor vehicle, and 2. Recreating in floodwater.

Although there were pockets of information and more detailed knowledge about these behaviours held in some jurisdictions, there was no national picture of either the details surrounding vehicle-related flood fatalities or the incidence of these two general behaviours and the detailed contexts in which the public enters floodwater. Therefore, by studying the general public more comprehensively, there was an opportunity to quantify behaviours and identify the potential challenges and additional levers for communicating flood risk, as well as enabling greater insight into differences across Australia (both within and across jurisdictions).

In addition, the information that was already known about behaviour in floodwater related solely to the general public. Emergency services, in particular State Emergency Services (SES) personnel, were previously identified as an at-risk group for entering floodwater and flood fatalities.

In the context of established approaches to the investigation of risk perception, comprehension, and risk-taking behaviour, SES personnel represent an ‘expert’ group. This meant they could also provide insights about risk perception and risk communication when studied and compared to the ‘lay public’ (expert-novice paradigm), for example enabling identification of differences in use of words/ language, conceptualisation of ‘flood’ and ‘flooded roads’, and identification and use of environmental cues when judging flood risk.

Finally, as a risk group there is an organisational imperative to study the behaviour of SES personnel entering floodwater when on/off duty. This research supports the evaluation, understanding, and provides opportunities to assist in the mitigation of a range of organisational risks, including

• workplace health and safety/duty of care, i.e., potential injuries to personnel,
• financial risk, i.e., through damage to vehicles, equipment and other assets, and
• reputational risk, i.e., through being seen to disregard the public risk messaging to never enter floodwater and/or being seen to take unnecessary risks and damage vehicles.

This project commenced in July 2017 and comprised broad two phases:

1. Understanding behaviour in and around floodwater, and
2. Collating flood risk communications and co-developing Community Service Announcements (CSAs) for flood for use in national broadcasting by the ABC.