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It'll never happen to me

Understanding Public Awareness of Local Flood Risk

Bibliographic Data

ID3897884
AuthorsKate Burningham (0000-0001-9408-6180, University of Surrey), Jane Fielding (0000-0002-2897-3301, University of Surrey), Diana Thrush (University of Surrey)
Year2008
Volume32
Issue2
Pages216-238
Publication date2008-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDisasters (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0361-3666 • E-ISSN: 1467-7717
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1467-7717.2007.01036.x
PMID18380852
OpenAlexW1987258794
LanguageEN
Citations received100
References cited18

Following the severe flood events of 1998 and 2000, the United Kingdom's Environment Agency prioritised the need to increase public flood risk awareness. Drawing on data collected during research undertaken for the Environment Agency, this paper contributes to understanding of one aspect of flood awareness: people's recognition that their property is in an area that is potentially at risk of flooding. Quantitative analyses indicate that class is the most influential factor in predicting flood risk awareness, followed by flood experience and length of time in residence. There are also significant area differences. Our qualitative work explores how those defined as 'at risk' account for their lack of awareness or concern about their risk status. We conclude that the problem is often not simply a lack of awareness, but rather, assessments of local risk based on experience that underestimate the impact of rare or extreme events. We underline the importance of engaging with local perspectives on risk and making local people part of 'awareness-raising' processes

Agency (philosophy · Business · Computer security · Environmental health · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Flood myth · Flooding (psychology · Geography · Residence · Risk analysis (engineering · Risk assessment · Risk factor · Social science · Sociology · Work (physics · Computer Science · Demography · Disaster Management and Resilience · Engineering · Environmental Science · Flood Risk Assessment and Management · Medicine · Psychology · Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones Research

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Unique citing works100
Citations per year5,26
Citation span2007 - 2026 (20)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 99
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