Evaluating Flash Flood Warning Communication Using an Immersive Simulation

Keywords: Flood warnings, risk communication, hazards, vulnerability
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Sunday
Session Start / End Time: 2/27/2022 08:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/27/2022 09:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 16

Abstract

Despite great advances in forecast accuracy and warning lead time, effective communication of risk from weather hazards to impacted individuals remains challenging. Flooding is among the leading causes of weather-related fatalities annually in the US, with drivers particularly vulnerable. To better understand actions taken by motorists during a flood, a simulation was developed where participants drove a vehicle and encounter a flooded roadway. To provide context and a basis for evaluating warning efficacy, drivers in the simulation randomly received one of three text message alerts sent to their phone, visible from the driver’s seat. One text message contained the standard Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) message sent during a flash flood warning. The second message also consisted of that text, along with a call to action— “Turn Around Don’t Drown”— which is the centerpiece of a long-running National Weather Service flood safety campaign, while the third message was the control. Data was collected regarding whether participants stopped, turned around, or entered the flooded roadway. Preliminary analysis indicates that participants receiving the warning message containing the call to action were significantly more likely to stop or turn around before entering the flood than those who received one of the other two alerts, while qualitative survey responses from participants further reinforced the utility of including the “Turn Around Don’t Drown” call to action in the flood warning message. The results of this work provide insight into how National Weather Service WEA messages are working along with suggestions for how they can be improved.