What shapes flood risk perception? A comparative study of individual perception compared with FEMA flood risk maps in the U.S.

We developed the National Water Hazard Risk Perception (NWHRP) survey with input from the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH) social sciences working group and insights from a focus group of emergency managers, first responders, and flood mitigation experts from the Winooski, Vermont watershed. The survey also drew on existing research on flood and hazard perception. It explored various topics, including how people perceive their flood risk compared to FEMA maps, their flood experiences, components of PMT, and various socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. The survey was conducted using QualtricsXM and distributed via Prolific, a platform recognized for high-quality participant responses . We recruited 923 participants, a sample representative of the U.S. by gender, income, and race. Participants were compensated $3.50 for their responses.

These questions required straightforward responses to identify inattentive participants and detect patterns of random selection. Responses failing multiple attention checks were identified and excluded from the final analysis to enhance data reliability. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained before conducting the NWHRP survey. Seven hundred eighty participants voluntarily provided their geographic addresses. ArcGIS Pro converted these addresses into latitude and longitude, facilitating comparison with FEMA flood maps. Ethical considerations were followed, ensuring informed consent and confidentiality for all participants.