Knowing What to Do Substantially Improves the Effectiveness of Flood Early Warning

Abstract Flood warning systems are longstanding success stories with respect to protecting human life, but monetary losses continue grow. Knowledge on the effectiveness of flood early in reducing is scarce, especially at individual level. To gain more knowledge this area, we analyze a dataset that unique detailed information reception and property level amount data available. The contains 4,468 loss cases from six events Germany. These floods occurred between 2002 2013. each event were collected by computer-aided telephone interviews four surveys following repeated cross-sectional design. We quantitatively reveal only effective when people know what do they receive warning. also show particularly long-term preparedness associated knowing Thus, risk communication, training, (financial) support for private mitigating two ways: precautionary measures emergency responses.