The book looks at the factors influencing the level of preparedness of communities exposed to
flooding. It is based on original research carried out in twelve areas in southern Poland that
suffered serious flood damage in the past thirty years. The underlying research was intended
on the one hand to verify modern concepts explaining the behaviour of people who were exposed
to natural hazards and on the other to explore the influence of the local natural social
historical and economic contexts that could modify that behaviour. The book has three main
threads: the social memory of floods and their image as it evolves in time the influence of
social and economic conditions (social vulnerability) on the preparedness to take on flood
mitigation measures and the role of risk communication in strengthening flood resilience. The
main body of the work is based on 1) surveys carried out among the flood-affected population
and members of local crisis services 2) interviews with the flood-affected population and with
members of administration and services (Police Fire Dept.) with a history of rescue missions
and 3) an analysis of social media content and of local administration and government agency
websites and land-use planning documents. The primary data collected by the authors was
supplemented by statistics on the impact of floods occurring in the study areas. The data is
presented in tables graphs and maps for easier comprehension. The book is aimed at researchers
and students as well as at practitioners interested in risk perception flood memories social
vulnerability & resilience studies social capacity building risk communication & education.
