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Exploring the circumstances surrounding flood fatalities in Australia—1900–2015 and the implications for policy and practice

Author

Listed:
  • Haynes, Katharine
  • Coates, Lucinda
  • van den Honert, Rob
  • Gissing, Andrew
  • Bird, Deanne
  • Dimer de Oliveira, Felipe
  • D’Arcy, Rebecca
  • Smith, Chloe
  • Radford, Deirdre

Abstract

This paper documents the analysis of the circumstances surrounding fatalities due to flooding in Australia between 1900 and 2015. This longitudinal investigation is important to understand changing trends in social vulnerability and to inform efficient and strategic risk reduction strategies. The basis of this analysis was PerilAUS, Risk Frontiers’ database of historical natural hazard impacts in Australia. This data was augmented and verified using coronial inquest records which provide detailed data concerning the social, demographic and environmental circumstances of each fatality. A statistical analysis of the data was undertaken, examining demographics (age, gender), location (state), seasonality, circumstances surrounding the fatality, environmental factors (e.g. the event intensity) and social factors (e.g. the decisions or actions which led to death). Overall there have been 1859 fatalities identified, with distinct trends in relation to gender, age, activity and reason behind the activity. Flood deaths have been declining. The majority of the fatalities are male (79.3%): however, since the 1960s the proportion of female to male fatalities has increased. Children and young adults (<29years) make up the greatest proportion of the fatalities (53.8% of cases where age is known). The highest proportions of fatalities occurred while victims attempted to cross a flood-impacted bridge or road. The recommendations for emergency management policy and practice are discussed, outlining the need for a new approach that accounts for a continuum of measures including regulation and incentive, education and structural intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Haynes, Katharine & Coates, Lucinda & van den Honert, Rob & Gissing, Andrew & Bird, Deanne & Dimer de Oliveira, Felipe & D’Arcy, Rebecca & Smith, Chloe & Radford, Deirdre, 2017. "Exploring the circumstances surrounding flood fatalities in Australia—1900–2015 and the implications for policy and practice," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 165-176.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:enscpo:v:76:y:2017:i:c:p:165-176
    DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2017.07.003
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Alaa Ahmed & Abdullah Alrajhi & Abdulaziz Alquwaizany & Ali Al Maliki & Guna Hewa, 2022. "Flood Susceptibility Mapping Using Watershed Geomorphic Data in the Onkaparinga Basin, South Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-23, December.
    2. Cameron Do & Yuriy Kuleshov, 2023. "Tropical cyclone multi-hazard risk mapping for Queensland, Australia," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 116(3), pages 3725-3746, April.
    3. Grace W. Lee & Kristina Vine & Amba-Rose Atkinson & Michael Tong & Jo Longman & Alexandra Barratt & Ross Bailie & Sotiris Vardoulakis & Veronica Matthews & Kazi Mizanur Rahman, 2023. "Impacts of Climate Change on Health and Health Services in Northern New South Wales, Australia: A Rapid Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-25, July.
    4. Eseosa Halima Ighile & Hiroaki Shirakawa & Hiroki Tanikawa, 2022. "Application of GIS and Machine Learning to Predict Flood Areas in Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-33, April.
    5. Peter S. Larson & Carina Gronlund & Lyke Thompson & Natalie Sampson & Ramona Washington & Jamie Steis Thorsby & Natalie Lyon & Carol Miller, 2021. "Recurrent Home Flooding in Detroit, MI 2012–2020: Results of a Household Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-16, July.
    6. Michalis Diakakis & Katerina Papagiannaki, 2021. "Characteristics of Indoor Flood Fatalities: Evidence from Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-15, August.

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