Improving flood communication at all levels with the help of a serious game

In July 2021, dramatic flooding in western Germany and Belgium led to more than 200 deaths and massive destruction. Due to the increasing impact of climate change, such events are becoming more likely in the future. The German Weather Service (DWD) and the Rhineland-Palatinate Flood Forecasting Centre (HVZ) launched the joint co-design project in order to raise awareness in this regard and increase the ability to act. One of the project objectives is to analyze and improve risk and hazard communication with a focus on flooding at all possible levels. In particular, a clear understanding of how to deal with uncertainties and probabilities is a key element for quick and targeted decisions.

In summer 2024, we conducted a survey aimed at all stakeholders affected by flooding. The goal of this survey was to obtain detailed feedback on the understanding of uncertainties and to determine the interest and willingness to participate in workshops, courses, e-learnings and the (joint) development of serious games. The feedback on this topic was overwhelmingly positive. Numerous interested parties have declared their willingness to support these developments. In two large online meetings, we then brought the interested parties together and carried out an initial analysis of ideas for the development of a serious game focusing on dealing with meteorological and hydrological uncertainties. The target groups for this game should be civil protection, administrations, schools and the interested public. We are planning the entire development process in close dialogue with the user groups, allowing us to incorporate specific experiences from the various areas of work. In our presentation, we would like to present the current state of development of this game and discuss possible steps for further improving communication.