How do we reduce vehicle related deaths: exploring Australian flood fatalities 1900–2015

Floods are the second highest cause of death from natural hazard events in Australia following extreme heat (Coates et al 2014)1. Research funded by the Bushfire and Natural Hazard CRC has so far uncovered 1874 flood fatalities between 1900-2015. This paper documents the initial findings and implications of research on flood fatalities. In particular, the growing number of fatalities associated with vehicles entering floodwaters will be discussed in relation to potential management strategies. 

The analysis of flood fatalities is the first part of a wider project to examine human fatalities, injuries, rescues and building losses from natural disasters in Australia from 1900 to the present. The hazards of interest include: floods, cyclones, earthquakes, heatwaves, severe storms (gust, hail, lightning, tornado, flash flood) and bushfires. Measuring and understanding the impacts of natural hazards in terms of the toll on human life and building damage is a fundamental first step to enabling efficient and strategic risk reduction. The outcomes of this project will inform a wide-range of emergency management and government end users to advise on and update policy, practice and resource allocation.