Effective Flood Awareness Communication

Project summary:

Many Texans are unaware of their flood risk. According to a survey conducted by the University of Texas at Austin in 2021, there are almost no differences in Texans' perception of their flood risk based on whether they live in a flood-prone zip code or not. In order to help reduce loss of life and protect property during flood events, it is essential that Texans better understand their flood risk. The goals of this project are to

• Identify end-users for a flood awareness campaign,
• Create a flood awareness outreach campaign for the identified end-users, and to
• Develop best practices for effective flood risk communication for the identified end-users.

For this project, the TWDB has contracted with the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin to conduct a literature review of existing flood risk reduction campaigns and best practices for creating flood awareness and outreach campaigns. Using this information, the researchers will identify end-users to target with flood risk messaging. Ultimately, the project will provide tools for both the TWDB and local communities to use to promote flood risk awareness.

Project deliverable(s):

1) A report that includes a literature review and an analysis of end-user groups and flood messaging themes, and 2) Flood communication campaign materials and implementation strategy for communities in Texas.

The TWDB is currently making updates to the flood communication campaign materials, including the addition of the new TWDB logo. Certain weblinks in the project report have been removed until the updates are complete.

Contractor (and Principal Investigator, if appropriate):

The University of Texas at Austin - Moody College of Communication, Dr. Keri Stephens

Contract amount:

$239,938

Project lead:

Kate deGennaro and Raddiete Sogaolu

Project timeline:

August 2022 - February 28, 2024