StoryMaps: Advancing Public Awareness, Preparedness, and Resilience to Flood Risks

Floods count as some of the most devastating natural disasters, inflicting extensive damage on infrastructure, disrupting communities, and posing serious threats to human lives. The flooding in Germany’s Ahr Valley in 2021 is a strong reminder of the devastating consequences. The increasing intensity of such events, driven by climate change, underscores the urgency of enhanced prevention and preparedness strategies (Deumlich & Gericke, 2020).

Fluvial (river) floods, which often occur at regular intervals, tend to remain in the collective memory of affected populations. However, when sufficient time passes without an event, a phenomenon referred to as "flood dementia" can emerge. This leads to diminished public awareness and preparedness, increasing vulnerability during future disasters. The issue is even more pronounced with pluvial (rainfall-induced) floods, which are harder to predict and therefore require robust preventive measures.

Effective flood risk management demands targeted approaches to engage diverse demographic groups. A survey conducted as part of the BMBF-FloReST project revealed significant disparities in awareness across age groups. While individuals aged 50 and older were well-represented in the survey, those aged 20 and younger were notably underrepresented. This younger age group often lacks the life experience needed to fully comprehend the impacts of pluvial flooding, underscoring the importance of targeted educational initiatives.

StoryMaps have emerged as a valuable tool for addressing this gap, particularly among younger audiences. By integrating geospatial data visualization with storytelling elements such as maps, images, videos, and narratives, StoryMaps transform complex environmental information into an engaging and accessible format. Young people, who are more responsive to interactive and visually rich content, benefit from enhanced comprehension and retention. For example, StoryMaps can depict flood-prone areas, recount historical flood events, and simulate potential outcomes of mitigation strategies, thus bridging technical concepts with tangible, real-world examples.

Furthermore, StoryMaps help young people connect local flood risks to broader global challenges. By exploring the links between climate change and flooding, students can better understand the interconnectedness of environmental issues. This fosters a sense of accountability and encourages proactive participation in community resilience initiatives. Additionally, StoryMaps promote critical thinking by enabling users to explore “what-if” scenarios, such as the impacts of improved drainage systems or reforestation on flood dynamics.

Their digital accessibility makes StoryMaps particularly effective for engaging tech-savvy younger generations. They can be seamlessly incorporated into school curricula, workshops, and community outreach programs, equipping young people with practical knowledge about sustainable water management and disaster preparedness.

In conclusion, StoryMaps represent a forward-thinking approach to flood risk awareness and education, particularly for younger audiences. By blending education with engagement, they empower a generation to better understand and address the challenges of climate-related disasters. Our presentation will showcase two StoryMaps—focused on the 2021 Ahr Valley flood and the 2024 Saarland Pentecost flood—developed as part of the FloReST project and introduced in schools to foster awareness and resilience among young learners.