Flood risk communication: Visualization tools and evaluations of effectiveness

Visual risk communication can be used to reduce damages due to floods. The first objective of this study is to review the current state of the field by inventorying examples of visual communication in terms of purpose, content, audience, phases of risk management and means. As maps appear to be predominantly used, the second objective is to review flood risk mapping research and practice. The third objective is to analyze examples of evaluation of effectiveness. It appears that although visual risk communication is quite advanced, there are still gaps to fill such as integrating the prevention and preparedness in the same communication tools. Risk mapping is currently designed for risk management. Further research should be conducted to make it serve risk communication. Although evaluation examples exists in terms of users’ needs, the assessment of the real impact of visuals is never done.Water ManagementCivil Engineering and Geoscience