From Risk to Resilience: Enhancing Communication for Floodplain Communities Along the Shunganunga Creek

Floods can develop over hours or days and flash floods can occur quickly without little warning. Even minor flooding can cause significant damage to drywall, insulation, and flooring, while more severe events can displace communities and strain local resources. These impacts are especially pronounced in floodplains, like the one in Shunganunga Creek, Kansas, where flooding is a frequent and often unavoidable part of life. As climate change intensifies these threats, it is essential to develop communication strategies that are both effective and impactful to the most vulnerable communities living in flood-prone regions.

To better understand how residents of floodplain communities along the Shunganunga Creek are affected by rising waters, we conducted interviews with 10-20 local residents. Participants represented a diverse group of backgrounds and experiences, including teachers, former members of the Shunga District Drainage Board, and long-time community members. Our interviews explored three key areas: (1) risk perception of floods, (2) the community’s evolving resilience as the climate changes, and (3) potential solutions to reduce vulnerabilities.

Through a qualitative thematic analysis, we identified communication gaps that local stakeholders can address in future flood-related decision-making. We offer recommendations based on these findings and share the lived experiences of those affected.