Disaster preparedness paradox: Evidence of lower public readiness for extreme rainfall compared to super tropical cyclones in Hong Kong

As anthropogenic climate change intensifies hydro-meteorological hazards, understanding public preparedness is critical for resilience. This study investigates a pivotal yet understudied question: whether the public prepares differently for large-scale, forecasted super tropical cyclones versus sudden-onset, hyper-localized extreme rainfall. Through a survey of 502 Hong Kong residents following two major hazard events in 2023, the study uncovers a significant “preparedness paradox.” Despite higher perceived personal risk from extreme rainfall, public readiness was substantially lower than for typhoons, revealing a critical gap in risk management. Regression analyses demonstrate that preparedness drivers are hazard-specific: being female predicted greater preparedness for extreme rainfalls, while being married was only significant for super typhoon readiness. Non-local-born status and lower income consistently enhanced preparedness for both hazards. The most robust predictor for both hazards was information-seeking through traditional channels. These findings necessitate a strategic shift from one-size-fits-all approaches to hazard-specific, population-tailored initiatives to bridge this preparedness gap and enhance urban resilience in an era of escalating climate extremes.