Understanding the Diverse Needs of Communities Impacted by Flooding

To effectively reach the millions of people living in flood vulnerable areas and support their decision-making related to flooding, there is a need to understand how people use and interpret flood forecast information. Such populations include a range of vulnerable groups in a variety of flood-prone geographies who encounter different communication challenges, ranging from lack of internet or cell service to lack of data literacy. These challenges and flooding situations must be considered in crafting risk communication messaging. Exploring approaches to engage diverse, under-resourced audiences and address these needs, a mixed-method social science research study was conducted in several areas vulnerable to flooding including low-income urban, and rural communities in North Dakota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Community profiles were developed using data and map analysis along with interviews with forecasters and local community-based organizations (CBOs) to identify areas vulnerable to flooding. Then, working with National Weather Service (NWS) partners (River Forecast Centers, the Weather Prediction Center, and Weather Forecast Offices) and local CBOs, the research team conducted two rounds of focus groups and surveys centered on a flooding scenario for each location using a suite of flood forecast tools, including hydrographs and other flood forecast and precipitation products. Focus groups engaged local residents, and findings from Round One informed the re-design and inclusion of the Excessive Rainfall Outlook and Flood Hazard Outlook products for testing in Round Two. Overall findings and analysis support design and dissemination recommendations to improve product use and provide an understanding of the needs of diverse users in flood-prone communities. The project’s approach, objectives and findings to date will be presented, with an emphasis on how being adaptive to community needs and experiences, not relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, can improve risk communication especially for under-resourced communities vulnerable to flooding.