Public perceptions and responses to flood risk
Evidence from the 2023 flood events in Italy
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22026172 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Irene Palazzoli (0000-0001-8273-2472, University of Bologna), Chiara Puglisi (0000-0002-4562-2589, University of Bologna), Chiara Binelli (0000-0002-2239-8713, University of Bologna), Raya Muttarak (0000-0003-0627-4451, University of Bologna), Serena Ceola (0000-0003-1757-509X, University of Bologna, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 132 |
| Pages | 105981 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2212-4209 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.105981 |
| OpenAlex | W7117137714 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 70 |
In 2023, Italy experienced severe flooding events with devastating environmental and socio-economic impacts. As flood hazards increase in frequency and intensity, understanding public risk perception, preparedness, and responses to communication strategies is critical. This study provides timely insights into these aspects following the May and November 2023 floods in Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. Through an online survey submitted to a representative sample of 3,423 residents across the two regions, we collected information on socio-demographics, flood risk perception, preparedness and mitigation measures, awareness of response strategies, information sources, and expectations regarding future policies and personal risk. A unique contribution of this study is the integration of survey responses with official flood hazard data, enabling a comparison between perceived and actual flood risk. Residents of flooded municipalities reported higher perceived flood risk than those in non-flooded municipalities, with perceptions aligning more closely with high- and medium-probability flood zones. Household preparedness was generally low, with nearly half of respondents reporting no precautionary measures. Adoption of structural measures was more common among individuals with higher risk perception, income, and education levels. Awareness of municipal flood management and evacuation plans was limited, yet more than half of respondents expressed interest in improving their flood risk knowledge. Trust in future policy interventions and perceived personal risk were moderate, with the latter varying by age, education, and prior flood experience. These findings underscore the need for targeted, community-focused interventions integrating socio-demographic factors, prior experience, and effective risk communication to promote proactive behavior, particularly for low-probability, high-impact events. • Original survey of 3,423 residents after 2023 floods in Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany • Integration of survey, flood hazard, and municipal data for flood risk comparison • Identification of mismatch between perceived and actual flood risk levels • Flood experience, income, and education shape preparedness and mitigation
Flood myth · Hazard · Natural hazard · Perception · Preparedness · Psychological intervention · Risk management · Risk perception · Disaster Management and Resilience · Flood Risk Assessment and Management · Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones Research
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| Highly cited | No |
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