When flood warnings fail
Psychological predictors of information clarity and evacuation intention
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22028663 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Katsuya Tanaka (0000-0003-0455-0133, Portland State University, corresponding author), Tadashi Kito (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications), Kohji Tanaka (Portland State University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 137 |
| Pages | 106075 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-01 |
| 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.2026.106075 |
| OpenAlex | W7133877103 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 49 |
Flood warnings are often assumed—particularly within traditional average-effect models—to prompt uniform behavioral responses, yet real-world evidence suggests that message effectiveness varies widely across the population. This study empirically identifies and explains such heterogeneity using a factorial survey experiment ( n = 1,671) conducted among residents in flood-prone regions of Japan. We estimate finite mixture beta regression models to disentangle the distinct behavioral patterns underlying information clarity and evacuation intention. Results reveal two psychological segments: a Responsive majority, whose decisions are shaped by concrete and credible warning attributes (e.g., specific breach point, forecast basis, large-font display), and a Non-responsive minority, who remain disengaged regardless of message design. Membership in the latter group is strongly predicted by distrust of weather information and habitual neglect of local hazard data rather than demographic factors. These findings underscore the limitations of one-size-fits-all communication strategies and highlight the urgent need for audience segmentation in early warning systems. By linking cognitive orientations to message responsiveness, this study advances the behavioral foundations of risk communication and offers practical guidance for designing more inclusive and trusted flood warning systems
CLARITY · Cognition · Distrust · Flood myth · Hazard · Neglect · Poison control · Warning system · Disaster Management and Resilience · Flood Risk Assessment and Management · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Risk Perception and Management
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| Highly cited | No |
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