New insights into the benefits of flood warnings: results from a household survey in England and Wales.

Article

Parker, D., McCarthy, S. and Tunstall, S. 2007. New insights into the benefits of flood warnings: results from a household survey in England and Wales. Environmental Hazards. 7 (3), pp. 193-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envhaz.2007.08.005
TypeArticle
TitleNew insights into the benefits of flood warnings: results from a household survey in England and Wales.
AuthorsParker, D., McCarthy, S. and Tunstall, S.
Abstract

Latest results from a large survey of flood warning recipients, allowing the Environment Agency to recalibrate its flood warning benefits model (which was pioneered by Parker in 1991) which underpins the £300m flood warning investment strategy for England and Wales. Also makes a contribution to hazard response theory.

Research GroupFlood Hazard Research Centre (FHRC)
JournalEnvironmental Hazards
ISSN1747-7891
Publication dates
Print18 Oct 2007
Publication process dates
Deposited30 Oct 2008
Output statusPublished
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envhaz.2007.08.005
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/80wvy

Log in to edit
  • 187
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Exploration of critical influences for adopting circular economy and sustainable construction and demolition waste management practices: a systematic review
Iwuchukwu, O.B., McCarthy, S., Garelick, H. and Purchase, D. 2026. Exploration of critical influences for adopting circular economy and sustainable construction and demolition waste management practices: a systematic review. Sustainable Cities and Society: Advances. 2 (4), p. 100100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scsadv.2026.100100
Mixed method analysis of household recycling challenges and the development of a sustainable recycling indicator
Oluwadipe, S, Purchase, D., Garelick, H., McCarthy, S. and Jones, H. 2025. Mixed method analysis of household recycling challenges and the development of a sustainable recycling indicator. Waste Management. 208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115170
Enabling community maintenance for local flood risk management: briefing note for policy and strategy staff: enabling and supporting communities in voluntary maintenance of flood assets (C821c)
Twigger-Ross, C., Simm, J. and McCarthy, S. 2025. Enabling community maintenance for local flood risk management: briefing note for policy and strategy staff: enabling and supporting communities in voluntary maintenance of flood assets (C821c). London, UK Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA).
Enabling community maintenance for local flood risk management: risk management authorities' guide to supporting community maintenance (C821b) [Monograph - Other]
Simm, J., Twigger-Ross, C., McCarthy, S., Berwick, N., Woods Ballard, B., Esposito, A., Sheperd, H. and Garrett, T. 2025. Enabling community maintenance for local flood risk management: risk management authorities' guide to supporting community maintenance (C821b) [Monograph - Other]. London, UK Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA).
Taking action: reducing the risk of flooding for your community by maintaining drainage, watercourses and flood defences (C821a)
Simm, J., Twigger-Ross, C., McCarthy, S., Berwick, N., Woods Ballard, B., Esposito, A., Shepherd, H. and Garrett, T. 2025. Taking action: reducing the risk of flooding for your community by maintaining drainage, watercourses and flood defences (C821a). London, UK Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA).
Application of a fuzzy, indicator‐based methodology for investigating the functional vulnerability of critical infrastructures to flood hazards
Binesh, N., Aronica, G.T., Hadzic, E., Sulejmanovic, S., Milisic, H., Deda, M., Koxhai, H., McCarthy, S., Rossello, L., Viavattene, C., Mujic, F., Brigandi, G., Gabellani, S. and Masi, R. 2025. Application of a fuzzy, indicator‐based methodology for investigating the functional vulnerability of critical infrastructures to flood hazards. Journal of Flood Risk Management. 18 (1). https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.13030
Revised approach for the calculation of groundwater flooding annual average damages: establishing a probability-based relationship for groundwater flooding
Viavattene, C., Hardman, D., Penning-Rowsell, E., Morris, J., Chatterton, J., Parker, D. and Priest, S. 2024. Revised approach for the calculation of groundwater flooding annual average damages: establishing a probability-based relationship for groundwater flooding. Flood Hazard Research Centre, Middlesex University.
A critical review of household recycling barriers in the United Kingdom
Oluwadipe, S., Garelick, H., McCarthy, S. and Purchase, D. 2022. A critical review of household recycling barriers in the United Kingdom. Waste Management & Research : The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy. 40 (7), pp. 905-918. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X211060619
Flood and coastal erosion risk management research and development framework: working with communities
Twigger-Ross, C., Sadauskis, R., Orr, P., Jones, R., McCarthy, S., Parker, D., Priest, S. and Simms, J. 2021. Flood and coastal erosion risk management research and development framework: working with communities. Bristol, UK Environment Agency.
Flood and coastal erosion risk management research and development framework: working with communities: literature review
Twigger-Ross, C., Sadauskis, R., Orr, P., Jones, R., McCarthy, S., Parker, D., Priest, S. and Simms, J. 2021. Flood and coastal erosion risk management research and development framework: working with communities: literature review. Bristol, UK Environment Agency.
Supporting flood and coastal erosion risk management through partnerships: key lessons
Priest, S., Alexander, M., McCarthy, S., Penning-Rowsell, E., Cumiskey, L. and Cobbing, P. 2021. Supporting flood and coastal erosion risk management through partnerships: key lessons. Bristol, UK Environment Agency.
A comparative analysis of the relationship between flood experience and private flood mitigation behaviour in the regions of England
Barendrecht, M., McCarthy, S. and Viglione, A. 2021. A comparative analysis of the relationship between flood experience and private flood mitigation behaviour in the regions of England. Journal of Flood Risk Management. 14 (2), pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12700
Communicating impacts in flood warning and forecasting [project summary SC150013/S]
Blazey, N. and McCarthy, S. 2020. Communicating impacts in flood warning and forecasting [project summary SC150013/S]. Bristol, UK Environment Agency.
Spreading the use of economic methods in coastal risk management: a simple but insightful “calculator”
Navas, F., Malvárez, G., Penning-Rowsell, E. and Parker, D. 2020. Spreading the use of economic methods in coastal risk management: a simple but insightful “calculator”. Journal of Coastal Research. 95 (sp1), pp. 1217-1222. https://doi.org/10.2112/si95-236.1
Communicating impacts in flood warnings and forecasting
Blazey, N. and McCarthy, S. 2020. Communicating impacts in flood warnings and forecasting. Bristol, UK Environment Agency.
Conclusion: Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Risk Management
Hartmann, T., Slavíková, L. and McCarthy, S. 2019. Conclusion: Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Risk Management. in: Hartmann, T., Slavíková, L. and McCarthy, S. (ed.) Nature-Based Flood Risk Management on Private Land Springer. pp. 221-228
Nature-based solutions in flood risk management
Hartmann, T., Slavíková, L. and McCarthy, S. 2019. Nature-based solutions in flood risk management. in: Hartmann, T., Slavíková, L. and McCarthy, S. (ed.) Nature-Based Flood Risk Management on Private Land Springer. pp. 3-8
Compensatory approaches and engagement techniques to gain flood storage in England and Wales
McCarthy, S., Viavattene, C., Sheehan, J. and Green, C. 2018. Compensatory approaches and engagement techniques to gain flood storage in England and Wales. Journal of Flood Risk Management. 11 (1), pp. 85-94. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12336
Citizens observatories for effective Earth observations: the WeSenseIt approach
Mazumdar, S., Lanfranchi, V., Ireson, N., Wrigley, S., Bagnasco, C., Wehn, U., McDonagh, R., Ferri, M., McCarthy, S., Huwald, H. and Ciravegna, F. 2016. Citizens observatories for effective Earth observations: the WeSenseIt approach. Environmental Scientist. 25 (2), pp. 56-61.
INDRA model: for a better assessment of coastal events disruptions
Viavattene, C., Priest, S., Owen, D., Parker, D., Micou, P. and Ly, S. 2016. INDRA model: for a better assessment of coastal events disruptions. Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Rio De Janeiro Brazil May 2016
Risk communication in emergency response to a simulated extreme flood
McCarthy, S., Tunstall, S., Parker, D., Faulkner, H. and Howe, J. 2007. Risk communication in emergency response to a simulated extreme flood. Environmental Hazards: Human and Policy Dimensions. 7 (3), pp. 179-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envhaz.2007.06.003
Analysing and evaluating flood risk governance in England – enhancing societal resilience through comprehensive and aligned flood risk governance arrangements
Alexander, M., Priest, S., Micou, P., Tapsell, S., Green, C., Parker, D. and Homewood, S. 2016. Analysing and evaluating flood risk governance in England – enhancing societal resilience through comprehensive and aligned flood risk governance arrangements. Middlesex University.
Cooperative agreements between water supply companies and farmers in Dorset
Viavattene, C., McCarthy, S., Green, C. and Pardoe, J. 2015. Cooperative agreements between water supply companies and farmers in Dorset. in: Lago, M., Mysiak, J., Gomez, C., Delacamara, G. and Maziotis, A. (ed.) Use of Economic Instruments in Water PolicyInsights from International Experience Switzerland Springer International Publishing.
The monetary benefit of early flood warnings in Europe
Pappenberger, F., Cloke, H., Parker, D., Wetterhall, F., Richardson, D. and Thielen, J. 2015. The monetary benefit of early flood warnings in Europe. Environmental Science & Policy. 51, pp. 278-291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2015.04.016
Social vulnerability to natural hazards
Tapsell, S., McCarthy, S., Faulkner, H., Alexander, M., Steinführer, A., Kuhlicke, C., Brown, S., Walker, G., Pellizzoni, L., Scolobig, A., De Marchi, B., Bianchizza, C., Supramaniam, M. and Kallis, G. 2010. Social vulnerability to natural hazards. European Commission.
Evaluating flood damages: guidance and recommendations on principles and methods executive summary
Meyer, V., Messner, F., Penning-Rowsell, E., Green, C., Tunstall, S., van der Veen, A., Tapsell, S., Wilson, T., Krywkow,, J., Logtmeijer, C., Fernández-Bilbao, A., Geurts, P., Haase, D. and Parker, D. 2009. Evaluating flood damages: guidance and recommendations on principles and methods executive summary. European Commission.
Developing models to estimate the benefits from flood warnings
Parker, D., Priest, S., Schildt, A. and Handmer, J. 2008. Developing models to estimate the benefits from flood warnings. European Commission. https://doi.org/T10-07-12
Socio-economic and ecological evaluation and modelling methodologies
Tapsell, S., Priest, S., Parker, D., Penning-Rowsell, E., Viavattene, C., Wilson, T., Handmer, J., Wijdeveld, A., Haasnoot, M., Penailillo, R., van den Ende,, F., van Noort,, P., Messner,, F., Meyer, V., Haase, D., Scheuer, S., Schildt, A., Lutoff, C. and Ruin, I. 2008. Socio-economic and ecological evaluation and modelling methodologies. European Commission.
Developing models to estimate the benefits from flood warnings: executive summary
Parker, D., Priest, S., Tapsell, S., Handmer, J. and Schildt, A. 2008. Developing models to estimate the benefits from flood warnings: executive summary. European Commission. https://doi.org/T10-08-11
A review of literature on citizen science: contribution to WP6
Tapsell, S. and McCarthy, S. 2014. A review of literature on citizen science: contribution to WP6. in: A Review of Literature on Citizen Science: Contribution to WP6 European Commission FP7 ENV.2012.6.5-1. pp. 1-65
Encouraging stakeholder participation (D6.22)
McCarthy, S. and Tapsell, S. 2014. Encouraging stakeholder participation (D6.22). in: Encouraging stakeholder participation (D6.22) European Commission FP7 ENV.2012.6.5-1. pp. 1-47
Methodological framework for an integrated multi-scale vulnerability and resilience assessment
Menoni, S., Costa, L., Galderisi, A., Margottini, C., Belvaux, M., Benenson, I., Karymbalis, E., Kidron, G., Kundak, S., Minucci, G., Parker, D., Sapountzaki, K. and Tapsell, S. 2011. Methodological framework for an integrated multi-scale vulnerability and resilience assessment. European Commission.
Requirement analysis for citizen observatories (including stakeholder sensor adoption and usage). D6.21
McCarthy, S., Tapsell, S., McDonagh, R., Vita, L., Kim, A. and Uta, W. 2014. Requirement analysis for citizen observatories (including stakeholder sensor adoption and usage). D6.21. in: Requirement analysis for citizen observatories (including stakeholder sensor adoption and usage). D6.21 European Commission FP7 ENV.2012.6.5-1. pp. 1-147
Innovation in coastal risk management: an exploratory analysis of risk governance issues at eight THESEUS study sites
Penning-Rowsell, E., De Vries, W., Parker, D., Zanuttigh, B., Simmonds, D., Trifonova, E., Hissel, F., Monbaliu, J., Lendzion, J., Ohle, N., Diaz, P. and Bouma, T. 2014. Innovation in coastal risk management: an exploratory analysis of risk governance issues at eight THESEUS study sites. Coastal Engineering. 87, pp. 210-217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2013.12.005
Communication and engagement techniques in local flood risk management. Companion guide
Daly, D., Jodieri, R., McCarthy, S., Pygott, K., Wright, M. and CIRIA 2015. Communication and engagement techniques in local flood risk management. Companion guide. London Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA).
Communication and engagement in local flood risk management
Daly, D., Jodieri, R., McCarthy, S., Pygott, K., Wright, M. and CIRIA 2015. Communication and engagement in local flood risk management. London Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA).
Library of Coastal Vulnerability Indicators
Owen, D., Micou, P., Viavattene, C., Parker, D. and Priest, S. 2015. Library of Coastal Vulnerability Indicators. EU FP7 RISC-KIT Project.
Library of Coastal Vulnerability Indicators guidance document
Viavattene, C., Micou, P., Owen, D., Priest, S. and Parker, D. 2015. Library of Coastal Vulnerability Indicators guidance document. Middlesex University.
Coastal risk assessment framework guidance document
Viavattene, C., Jiménez, J., Owen, D., Priest, S., Parker, D., Micou, P. and Ly, S. 2015. Coastal risk assessment framework guidance document.
Citizen observatories as facilitators of change in water governance? Experiences from three European cases
Wehn, U., McCarthy, S., Lanfranchi, V. and Tapsell, S. 2015. Citizen observatories as facilitators of change in water governance? Experiences from three European cases. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal. 14 (9), pp. 2073-2086.
Narrowing the focus: public understanding of flood maps in the River Thames catchment
Priest, S., Pardoe, J., McCarthy, S. and Viavattene, C. 2011. Narrowing the focus: public understanding of flood maps in the River Thames catchment. in: Zenz, G. and Hornich, R. (ed.) Urban Flood Risk Management: Approaches to enhance resilience of communities, Proceedings of the International Symposium, 21st-23rd September 2011 Graz Technischen Universitat Graz. pp. 309-314
Flood resilience community pathfinder evaluation: rapid evidence assessment
Twigger-Ross, C., Kashefi, E., Weldon, S., Brooks, K., Deeming, H., Forrest, S., Fielding, J., Gomersall, A., Harries, T., McCarthy, S., Orr, P., Parker, D. and Tapsell, S. 2014. Flood resilience community pathfinder evaluation: rapid evidence assessment. London, UK Defra.
The consequences of doing nothing: the effects of seawater flooding on coastal zones
Hoggart, S., Hanley, M., Parker, D., Simmonds, D., Bilton, D., Filipova-Marinova, M., Franklin, E., Kotsev, I., Penning-Rowsell, E., Rundle, S., Trifonova, E., Vergiev, V., White, A. and Thompson, R. 2014. The consequences of doing nothing: the effects of seawater flooding on coastal zones. Coastal Engineering. 87, pp. 169-182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2013.12.001
Framework for assessing uncertainty in fluvial flood risk mapping
Beven, K., Leedal, D. and McCarthy, S. 2014. Framework for assessing uncertainty in fluvial flood risk mapping. London, UK CIRIA.
Recommendations for the user-specific enhancement of flood maps
Meyer, V., Kuhlicke, C., Luther, J., Fuchs, S., Priest, S., Dorner, W., Serrhini, K., Pardoe, J., McCarthy, S., Seidel, J., Palka, G., Unnerstall, H., Viavattene, C. and Scheuer, S. 2012. Recommendations for the user-specific enhancement of flood maps. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences. 12, pp. 1701-1716. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-12-1701-2012
The fallibility of flood warning chains: can Europe’s flood warnings be effective?
Parker, D. and Priest, S. 2012. The fallibility of flood warning chains: can Europe’s flood warnings be effective? Water Resources Management. 26 (10), pp. 2927-2950. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-012-0057-6
Flood risk communication
Faulkner, H., Tunstall, S. and McCarthy, S. 2010. Flood risk communication. in: Pernder, G. and Faulkner, H. (ed.) Flood risk science and management WileyBlackwell.
Flood and coastal erosion risk management: a manual for economic appraisal
Penning-Rowsell, E., Priest, S., Parker, D., Morris, J., Tunstall, S., Viavattene, C., Chatterton, J. and Owen, D. 2013. Flood and coastal erosion risk management: a manual for economic appraisal. London, UK Routledge.
Assessing multifaceted vulnerability and resilience in order to design risk mitigation strategies
Menoni, S., Molinari, D., Parker, D., Ballio, F. and Tapsell, S. 2012. Assessing multifaceted vulnerability and resilience in order to design risk mitigation strategies. Natural Hazards. 64 (3), pp. 2057-2082. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-012-0134-4
Assessing options for the development of surface water flood warning in England and Wales
Priest, S., Parker, D., Hurford, A., Walker, J. and Evans, K. 2011. Assessing options for the development of surface water flood warning in England and Wales. Journal of Environmental Management. 92 (12), pp. 3038-3048.
Modelling the potential damage-reducing benefits of flood warnings using European cases
Priest, S., Parker, D. and Tapsell, S. 2011. Modelling the potential damage-reducing benefits of flood warnings using European cases. Environmental Hazards: Human and Policy Dimensions. 10 (2), pp. 101-120. https://doi.org/10.1080/17477891.2011.579335
Developing a process for stakeholder participation in flood risk mapping
Priest, S., Pardoe, J., McCarthy, S., Meyer, V., Kuhlicke, C. and Luther, J. 2012. Developing a process for stakeholder participation in flood risk mapping. Klijn, F. and Schweckendiek, T. (ed.) London CRC Press. pp. 185-186
Perspectives on social capacity building for natural hazards: Outlining an emerging field of research and practice in Europe
Kuhlicke, C., Steinführer, A., Begg, C., Bianchizza, C., Bründl, M., Buchecker, M., De Marchi, B., Di Masso Tarditti, M., Höppner, C., Komac, B., Lemkow, L., Luther, J., McCarthy, S., Pellizzoni, L., Renn, O., Scolobig, A., Supramaniam, M., Tapsell, S., Wachinger, G., Walker, G., Whittle, R., Zorn, M. and Faulkner, H. 2011. Perspectives on social capacity building for natural hazards: Outlining an emerging field of research and practice in Europe. Environmental Science & Policy. 14 (7), pp. 804-814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2011.05.001
Plausible responses to the threat of rapid sea-level rise in the Thames Estuary
Lonsdale, K., Downing, T., Nicholls, R., Parker, D., Vafeidis, A., Dawson, R. and Hall, J. 2008. Plausible responses to the threat of rapid sea-level rise in the Thames Estuary. Climatic Change. 91 (1-2), pp. 145-169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-008-9483-0
Surface water flood warning requirements and potential in England and Wales
Parker, D., Priest, S. and McCarthy, S. 2011. Surface water flood warning requirements and potential in England and Wales. Applied Geography. 31 (3), pp. 891-900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2011.01.002
Understanding and enhancing the public's behavioural response to flood warning information.
Parker, D., Priest, S. and Tapsell, S. 2009. Understanding and enhancing the public's behavioural response to flood warning information. Meteorological Applications. 16 (1), pp. 103-114. https://doi.org/10.1002/met.119
RPA stakeholder and policy: final report work package 7.3. Risk communication: inter-professional flood risk management.
McCarthy, S., Tunstall, S. and Faulkner, H. 2008. RPA stakeholder and policy: final report work package 7.3. Risk communication: inter-professional flood risk management. Flood Hazard Research Centre, Middlesex University.
Flood risk management and planning policy in a time of policy transition: the case of the Wapshott Road Planning Inquiry, Surrey, England.
Tunstall, S., McCarthy, S. and Faulkner, H. 2009. Flood risk management and planning policy in a time of policy transition: the case of the Wapshott Road Planning Inquiry, Surrey, England. Journal of Flood Risk Management. 2 (3), pp. 159-169. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-318X.2009.01030.x
Risk communication in emergency response to a simulated extreme flood.
Faulkner, H., Parker, D. and Tunstall, S. 2007. Risk communication in emergency response to a simulated extreme flood. Environmental Hazards. 7 (3), pp. 179-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envhaz.2007.06.003
Contextual influences on national level flood risk communication.
McCarthy, S. 2007. Contextual influences on national level flood risk communication. Environmental Hazards. 7 (2), pp. 128-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envhaz.2007.06.002
Enhancing the human benefits of flood warnings
Parker, D., McCarthy, S. and Tapsell, S. 2007. Enhancing the human benefits of flood warnings. Natural Hazards. 43 (3), pp. 397-414. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-007-9137-y
Urban containment policy and exposure to natural hazards: is there a connection?
Burby, R., Nelson, A., Parker, D. and Handmer, J. 2001. Urban containment policy and exposure to natural hazards: is there a connection? Environmental Planning and Management. 44 (4), pp. 475-490. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640560120060911
Developing a translational discourse to communicate uncertainty in flood risk between science and the practitioner
Parker, D., Beven, K., Faulkner, H. and Green, C. 2007. Developing a translational discourse to communicate uncertainty in flood risk between science and the practitioner. Ambio.
Natural and imposed injustices: the challenges in implementing 'fair' flood risk management policy in England
Johnson, C., Parker, D. and Penning-Rowsell, E. 2007. Natural and imposed injustices: the challenges in implementing 'fair' flood risk management policy in England. The Geographical Journal. 173 (4), pp. 374-390. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4959.2007.00256.x