Flood risk perceptions, education and warning in four communities in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, New South Wales, Australia : results of a questionnaire survey, February 2006

To improve public awareness and preparedness for local flooding and encourage a better response to flood warnings, the New South Wales State Emergency Service is in the process of developing a comprehensive public education strategy.This report describes the results of a survey about flood perceptions and warnings undertaken in four communities in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, New South Wales, Australia. The survey was conducted in Penrith, McGraths Hill, Windsor and Richmond in February 2006. A total of 1000 questionnaires were delivered directly to houses in all four areas, with an overall return rate of 22%. The questionnaire included questions on: awareness, risk perception, previous exposure to flooding, information received concerning preparedness activities, information sought for preparedness purposes and the extent to which people engaged or plan to engage in preparedness activities.The results of the survey provide a baseline understanding of current issues regarding flooding for respondents in the four communities. Having a baseline survey such as this also allows for the evaluation of future flood education programmes (by way of a comparison survey), and the identification and utilisation of effective strategies for flood preparedness and warnings.