Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4496
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4496
10 Nov 2025
 | 10 Nov 2025

Multi-level assessment of flood risk perception and flood behaviour

Rocío Coloma, Vicente Saenger, Felipe Link, and Oscar Link

Abstract. Understanding the relationships between flood risk perception and flood behaviour is crucial for adequate risk management and risk communication strategies, but quantitative approaches are still challenging research. Based on a survey of 1007 residents in four different localities of Chile exposed to river floods, this study builds and applies a framework for assessment of flood risk perception and flood behaviour at the individual, household, neighbourhood and municipality levels. Results show that almost all respondents were aware of flood risk. Economic and personal resources highly control worry and preparedness: households with better economic situation were less worried about floods, while minor economic resources at the municipal and neighbourhood levels triggered the adoption of cautionary measures at the household level. Experiences where the flood passed outside the household increased worry and preparedness. Worry decreased with trust in the neighbours. Overall, worry and preparedness in the study area were intermediate, with an increasing dispersion in the lower levels. Increasing worry did not necessarily translate into higher preparedness. Municipalities exhibited different flood behaviours, and some neighbourhoods exhibited flood behaviours different to those of their municipalities, evidencing important differences across the analysed levels. Obtained results suggest that risk communication and risk management strategies should be adapted to focus on the needs of specific neighbourhoods exposed to floods.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

03 Jun 2026
Multi-level assessment of flood risk perception and flood behaviour
Rocío Coloma, Vicente Saenger, Felipe Link, and Oscar Link
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 2525–2550, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-2525-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-2525-2026, 2026
Short summary
Rocío Coloma, Vicente Saenger, Felipe Link, and Oscar Link

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4496', Anonymous Referee #1, 25 Dec 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Oscar Link, 01 Mar 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4496', Anonymous Referee #2, 25 Dec 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Oscar Link, 02 Mar 2026
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4496', Anonymous Referee #3, 25 Dec 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Oscar Link, 02 Mar 2026
  • RC4: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4496', Anonymous Referee #4, 04 Jan 2026
    • AC5: 'Reply on RC4', Oscar Link, 03 Mar 2026
  • RC5: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4496', Anonymous Referee #5, 20 Jan 2026
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC5', Oscar Link, 02 Mar 2026

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (further review by editor and referees) (14 Mar 2026) by Mihai Niculita
AR by Oscar Link on behalf of the Authors (21 Apr 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (04 May 2026) by Mihai Niculita
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (09 May 2026)
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (15 May 2026)
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (16 May 2026) by Mihai Niculita
AR by Oscar Link on behalf of the Authors (19 May 2026)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4496', Anonymous Referee #1, 25 Dec 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Oscar Link, 01 Mar 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4496', Anonymous Referee #2, 25 Dec 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Oscar Link, 02 Mar 2026
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4496', Anonymous Referee #3, 25 Dec 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Oscar Link, 02 Mar 2026
  • RC4: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4496', Anonymous Referee #4, 04 Jan 2026
    • AC5: 'Reply on RC4', Oscar Link, 03 Mar 2026
  • RC5: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4496', Anonymous Referee #5, 20 Jan 2026
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC5', Oscar Link, 02 Mar 2026

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (further review by editor and referees) (14 Mar 2026) by Mihai Niculita
AR by Oscar Link on behalf of the Authors (21 Apr 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (04 May 2026) by Mihai Niculita
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (09 May 2026)
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (15 May 2026)
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (16 May 2026) by Mihai Niculita
AR by Oscar Link on behalf of the Authors (19 May 2026)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

03 Jun 2026
Multi-level assessment of flood risk perception and flood behaviour
Rocío Coloma, Vicente Saenger, Felipe Link, and Oscar Link
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 2525–2550, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-2525-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-2525-2026, 2026
Short summary
Rocío Coloma, Vicente Saenger, Felipe Link, and Oscar Link
Rocío Coloma, Vicente Saenger, Felipe Link, and Oscar Link

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Short summary
Based on a survey of 1007 residents in four different localities of Chile exposed to river floods, this study builds and applies a framework for assessment of flood risk perception and flood behaviour at the individual, household, neighbourhood and municipality levels. Obtained results suggest that risk communication and risk management strategies should be adapted to focus on the needs of specific neighbourhoods exposed to floods.
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