02 April 2007

Exploring the Social Impacts of Flood Risk and Flooding in Scotland

Losing family photos and other personal belongings has a greater impact than the direct financial cost for people whose homes have been hit by flooding, a new study at the University of Dundee has found.

The stress, anxiety, loss of personal irreplaceable items and discomfort at living in temporary accommodation were among the factors which had the greatest impact on those hit by flooding, with the effects most pronounced among the elderly and most vulnerable.

The new research from a team in the School of Social Sciences at the University exploring the social impacts of flood risk and flooding in Scotland is published by the Scottish Executive today (April 2nd). The research team, from Geography, is led by Professor Alan Werritty.

"This study has sought to portray ‘the human face of flooding’, hitherto neglected in previous studies on flooding in Scotland," said Professor Werritty. "For most flood victims insurance eventually covers the material costs (repairs to the house and replaced furnishings, cookers and fridges), but the family photos gone for ever, the anxiety and stress of trying to get back to normal, the worry about another flood - these are the impacts of flooding that hit hardest. Recovering from them can take many years."

They assessed the impacts that recent floods in Scotland have had on people, their attitudes and behaviour and established ‘what works’ in relation to flood prevention programmes and flood warning and dissemination systems. They also identified the consequences of living in a flood risk area for those with and without the experience of being flooded. The research included a large scale survey of more than 1200 households in locations flooded between 1993 and 2005.

The research strengthens understanding of the human dimension of flooding and will inform the technical guidance on flood prevention schemes which is currently being prepared for the use of local authorities.

The study team particularly identified the extent to which the intangible impacts from flooding impact upon people who have been flooded. These are the ‘hard to replace’ impacts of flooding such as stress, anxiety, loss of personal irreplaceable items and discomfort at living in temporary accommodation.

Indeed, the study found that these are greater than the tangible impacts, for example, financial losses and reduction in house value. In terms of the most severely affected it is the elderly and most vulnerable that experience intangible impacts to the greatest extent. Vulnerable households on low incomes also had lower social resilience and reported higher immediate and lasting intangible impacts.

In addition, the study explored ‘what works’ with particular population groups and locations in relation to flood prevention campaigns and flood warning/dissemination systems. Direct methods of warning dissemination, particularly officials knocking on the door, and media messages, are strongly favoured.

The report has a number of recommendations, including:

- that further research be undertaken on the immediate and long-term physical and mental health impacts of flooding in Scotland;

- that the intangible social impacts of flooding as well as the potential environmental benefits, be incorporated to a greater degree in option appraisal guidance for relevant local authorities, alongside the standard cost-benefit approach;

- that, where practicable, flood warning schemes be extended to all communities at risk. When new schemes are appraised, the existing cost benefit appraisal process should be adapted to incorporate the intangible social impacts of flooding; and

- that there is a continued role for the Scottish Executive’s Flooding Issues Advisory Committee as a means for facilitating on-going exchange between key institutional stakeholders and the promotion of sustainable flood management.

Background:

In response to substantial flood losses during the 1990s the Scottish Executive developed a policy of “Awareness, Avoidance, Alleviation and Assistance”, which enhanced the ‘people dimension’ in flood risk management. In 2003, sustainable flood management became a duty for responsible authorities under section 2 of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003. It was recognised that, for the full potential benefit of these policies to be achieved, there was a need for a more robust evidence base surrounding flooding and flood risk.

The Scottish Executive Environment Agriculture and Rural Affairs Department, therefore, commissioned a research project to assess the range of impacts that experience of recent flooding in Scotland has had on people, their attitudes and behaviours; and to establish ‘what works’ with particular population groups and locations in relation to flood prevention campaigns and flood warning/dissemination systems.

The study involved a review of relevant literature, a questionnaire survey, a series of discussion/focus groups, and interviews with key institutional stakeholders (including local authorities, SEPA, and Scottish Water). A statistical Annex will be published at a later date with the full questionnaire attached.

1,223 households responded to the questionnaire survey, comprising of residents of locations flooded between 1993 and 2005 (Brechin, Edinburgh, Forres, Elgin, Glasgow-Shettleston, Hawick and Perth).

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk