This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Research into living with flooding
02/04/2007
New research exploring the social impacts of flood risk and flooding in Scotland was published today.
The study explores the extent of the social impacts of flooding and living with flood risk in Scotland.
This research will inform the technical guidance on flood prevention schemes which is currently being prepared for the use of local authorities.
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 commissioned research 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 by Dundee University 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.
The study 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. 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 feel 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.
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).