Emerging patterns and limits in household cross-border flood adaptation

The July 2021 floods in Europe stand out as one of the most devastating flood-related disasters to impact the continent in recent years - affecting multiple countries at once. As climate change intensifies, such cross-border disasters are expected to become more frequent. This underscores the importance of understanding the patterns and limits of how households in different nations respond to shared flood crises. Using unique cross-country survey data from flooded homeowners, we find evidence of financial, institutional, and psychological limits to adaptation on the building level. Insurance compensation is the main driver of private adaptation actions shortly after flooding. However, over the long term, the intensity of flood experiences plays a pivotal role in shaping household adaptation intentions. Households that suffered significant flood damage are more likely to take steps to mitigate future risks to their homes. Yet, this intention encounters limits for extreme flood damage. Once experienced flood damages exceed a threshold of 58% of the home reconstruction value, homeowners begin to view private adaptation efforts as less effective, prompting a shift toward relocating to safer areas.