The Flood-Related Behaviour of River Users in Australia (original) (raw)
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NSW Floodplain Management Conference
Building on research into flash flood fatalities, the New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES) recently funded a literature review (through the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program) exploring pedestrian and motorist safety during floods. The review looked at risk perception, the influence of warning systems, human behaviour, the activities undertaken, and the characteristics and motivations of people who died as a result of entering floodwater. The research also looked at strategies used in Australia and internationally to promote appropriate behaviour around floodwater. In Australia, 206 flash flooding fatalities occurred between 1950 and 2008. Sixty-one percent of flash flood fatalities in this period were known to be transport related (vehicle, pedestrian and other modes). People also died as a result of wading, swimming, recreating, rescuing others, evacuating too late (fleeing), retrieving property, and copy-cat behaviour. Current research suggests that the predominant motivating reason for people to enter floodwater is that people are attempting to reach a particular destination in the course of their normal everyday routines such as travelling to and from work and picking up and dropping children off at school. Strategies and activities used within Australia and internationally may provide new ideas and approaches to improve pedestrian and motorist safety in floods.
A systematic review of human behaviour in and around floodwater
2020
Flooding can have a major impact on people’s safety and livelihood. Understanding people’s flood-related behaviours may assist in the development of more effective strategies aimed at lessening the impact of floods including mortality and morbidity. This systematic review examined peer-reviewed literature published from January-1989 to April-2019 on human behaviour in and around floodwater to identify behaviour patterns as well as protective and risk factors. We extracted three main themes from a thematic analysis of included studies (N=54): activities and risk-taking behaviours (n=24); loss reduction, knowledge, and warnings (n=37); and diet and hygiene (n=4). This review had limitations which prevented definitive conclusions being made. What does seem apparent is the limited knowledge of the social psychological mechanisms that guide behavioural responses in a flood event. Further exploration of methods to improve preparedness, increase the likelihood of evacuation, and reduce ‘ri...
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Weather, Climate and Society, 2015
A study was undertaken to review international literature pertaining to people's behavior in and around floodwater. The review focused on people's voluntary entry of floodwater. From the literature, five predominant reasons for entering floodwater were identified, including undertaking a recreational activity; attempting to reach a destination; retrieving property, livestock, or pets; undertaking employment duties; and rescuing or assisting with evacuation. Two primary influences on entering floodwater were found, namely risk perception (i.e., being unaware of or underestimating the risk from flooding) and social influences (i.e., being influenced by others). Demographics and environmental and temporal factors also played a part in decisionmaking about whether to enter floodwater or not. Emergency managers should take account of such factors when devising future public education strategies. Further research, including comparisons with current theoretical models, could help identify additional influences on decision-making for floodwater entry.
Behavioral, health- related and demographic risk factors of death in floods: A case-control study
PLOS ONE, 2021
During the first half of 2019, many provinces of Iran were affected by floods, which claimed the lives of 82 people. The present study aimed to investigate the behavioral, health related and demographic risk factors associated with deaths due to floods. We measured the odds ratio and investigated the contribution and significance of the factors in relation to mortality. This case-control study was conducted in the cities affected by flood in Iran. Data were collected on the flood victims using a questionnaire. Survivors, a member of the flood victim’s family, were interviewed. In total, 77 subjects completed the survey in the case group, and 310 subjects completed the survey in the control group. The findings indicated that factors such as the age of less than 18 years, low literacy, being trapped in buildings/cars, and risky behaviors increased the risk of flood deaths. Regarding the behavioral factors, perceived/real swimming skills increased the risk of flood deaths although it m...
This paper documents the analysis of the circumstances surrounding fatalities due to flooding in Australia between 1900 and 2015. This longitudinal investigation is important to understand changing trends in social vulnerability and to inform efficient and strategic risk reduction strategies. The basis of this analysis was PerilAUS, Risk Frontiers' database of historical natural hazard impacts in Australia. This data was augmented and verified using coronial inquest records which provide detailed data concerning the social, demographic and environmental circumstances of each fatality. A statistical analysis of the data was undertaken, examining demographics (age, gender), location (state), seasonality, circumstances surrounding the fatality, environmental factors (e.g. the event intensity) and social factors (e.g. the decisions or actions which led to death). Overall there have been 1859 fatalities identified, with distinct trends in relation to gender, age, activity and reason behind the activity. Flood deaths have been declining. The majority of the fatalities are male (79.3%): however, since the 1960s the proportion of female to male fatalities has increased. Children and young adults (< 29 years) make up the greatest proportion of the fatalities (53.8% of cases where age is known). The highest proportions of fatalities occurred while victims attempted to cross a flood-impacted bridge or road. The recommendations for emergency management policy and practice are discussed, outlining the need for a new approach that accounts for a continuum of measures including regulation and incentive, education and structural intervention.