Implementation of community flood risk communication in Kumamoto, Japan

Abstract To enhance local flood disaster mitigation, participatory approaches for community‐based flood risk communication are proposed using the workshops based on a Plan‐Do‐Check‐Action (PDCA) cycle. In our case study, risk communication for floods due to heavy rain and river flooding was implemented at the Kosen community in Kumamoto City, Japan, during 2006–2007. A community‐based flood hazard and evacuation route map were produced during the workshops and verified through virtual desktop evacuation drills. The fundamental resident flood evacuation data was obtained through the evacuation drills and analyzed with respect to the timing of the announcement of evacuation information, walking speed during evacuation, and the locations of evacuation centers. Implementation of flood risk communication was found to be effective for the enhancement of residents' awareness of both self‐ and mutual‐help efforts in community‐based flood risk mitigation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.