Gaps in Public and Emergency Managers Flood Communications and Perceptions

Despite significant investments in early forecasting systems, the loss of lives, livelihoods, and property as a result of floods persist, and impacts are exacerbated by errors in communication. Addressing this issue requires a clear understanding of communication gaps between emergency managers and the public—key end users of flood forecast information. This study explored comprehension of flood-related terminology, communication methods, and sources of flood information. Using data from a nationally representative public survey of 918 U.S. respondents and a survey of 64 emergency managers, the findings reveal discrepancies between how emergency managers’ perceptions and the public’s actual understanding of flood terms, their preferred communication channels, and trusted information sources. These insights are critical for emergency managers, the National Weather Services (NWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other government officials to improve flood risk communication and better protect lives and property.