A comparative analysis of property level flood mitigation behaviour in the regions of England

Even though there has been a move towards a more integrated approach to flood risk management, with a stronger focus on property level measures to reduce flood risk, the uptake of property level measures remains low. Experience has been found to influence the uptake of measures, but even property owners with experience do not always take measures to prepare for future flooding. In this paper we investigate the variations in the relationship between experience and preparedness (i.e. the uptake of property level measures) for the different regions of England. We use survey data collected among the population at risk in the years 1996 to 2004 and perform a hierarchical beta regression to determine the differences between the seven regions. We find that the South West and Southern regions have a higher increase in preparedness with increasing experience compared to other regions. In the Thames, Midlands and North West the preparedness increases less with increasing experience. Based on an analysis of additional data sources (e.g. surveys and maps of structural protection and population) we provide a possible explanation as to why the behaviour of property owners in these regions could be different.