Deviant behaviours in flood risk management: a novel typology

Flooding has become an increasing threat across the globe and risk is likely to rise in the coming decades. In this context individuals and communities are expected to assume certain tasks and responsibilities, including following the rules and guidance of flood risk management (FRM) agencies. However, such collaboration does not always align seamlessly, and may instead involve what we term deviant behaviour. Individuals or groups may act in ways that deviate from the expectations or aspirations of the state or the majority of society, with negative consequences. This paper suggests a typology of such deviant behaviours, with examples, occurring before, during, or after a flood event. The typology encompasses different forms of behaviours, ranging from the inappropriate and uncooperative to anti-social behaviour and illegal actions. We suggest that FRM agencies – often surprised by and unprepared for such behaviours – need to integrate a recognition of deviant behaviours into their operational logic rather than continue to ignore them. Furthermore, deviant behaviour is not fully addressed directly in the current academic FRM debates. Consequently, there remain significant gaps in understanding, such as the many reasons behind these phenomena, and further research should focus on the significance of deviant behaviours in FRM in relation to their drivers and the consequences.