Flood Risk Perception Survey Report
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Abstract
In light of growing concerns about flood risk in the Hudson River Estuary, working together with the Hudson River Estuary Program, we conducted in-depth individual and focus group interviews, as well as a household survey to evaluate flood risk responses in Troy and Kingston. This report summarizes initial findings regarding flood risk exposure, perception, preparedness actions, and views of policy interventions. Regarding exposure, residents of color may be more likely to face risks of flooding. Nearly half of residents are unsure whether they live within the Special Flood Hazard Era defined by the Federal Emergency Management Administration. Flood risk perception is responsive to past experience of flood impacts. Past flood experience predicts flood preparedness actions, with the exception of flood insurance, which is driven by the mandatory purchase requirement of the National Flood Insurance Program. Respondents generally show support for hard infrastructure, living shoreline, and insurance premium offsets for flood preparedness investments, but views on buyouts of flood-prone homes are more mixed. These preliminary findings set the stage for multivariate analyses aimed at understanding the predictors of flood risk awareness and preparedness.