Impact of Coping Strategies Adopted for Flooding on Residential Properties in Yenagoa Metropolis, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Flooding remains one of the most persistent environmental hazards affecting urban settlements in Nigeria, with particularly severe consequences in low-lying cities within the Niger Delta region. Yenagoa metropolis, the capital of Bayelsa State, experiences recurrent flooding due to a combination of intense rainfall, flat topography, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and rapid, unregulated urban development. These conditions expose residential properties to repeated damage and compel residents to adopt various coping strategies, often with long-term implications for housing quality and urban resilience. This study examined the impact of coping strategies adopted for flooding on residential properties in Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The primary aim of the study was to assess how flooding-induced coping strategies influence the condition and sustainability of residential buildings. Specifically, the study sought to examine residents’ perceptions of challenges experienced during flooding and to identify the coping strategies commonly employed in response to flood events. A structured questionnaire survey was administered to 329 residents across flood-prone neighbourhoods within the metropolis, and the data were analysed using descriptive statistical techniques. The findings revealed that flooding results in substantial loss and damage to residential properties, frequent displacement of households, health challenges, economic setbacks, and social dislocation. Among the coping strategies identified, seasonal relocation emerged as the most commonly adopted response, followed by clearing of drainage channels, raising of damp-proof courses, and the use of reinforced building materials. However, while these strategies provide short-term relief, they often leave buildings unattended or structurally weakened, thereby increasing long-term vulnerability to subsequent flood events. The study concludes that reliance on temporary coping mechanisms, rather than resilient housing adaptations, perpetuates housing deterioration and urban vulnerability. It therefore recommended the need for integrated, resilience-oriented planning and housing interventions to mitigate flood impacts in Yenagoa metropolis