Jessica Ludy BRWIV

7/29/2019 Jessica Ludy BRWIV

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Communicating resilience on

lands protected by levees

Jessica Ludy

Building Resilience Workshop, March 9, 2013


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TheArmy Corps of Engineers built us leveesto last 100 years.

A 100-year Flood is


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A major flood that comes every 100 years

its a worst-case scenario.

A 100-year Flood is


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The last flood came in1950

the next one will be in 2050.

A 100-year Flood is


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Flooding is unlikely and if flooding occurs,it will be minimal.

I would not evacuate because


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I am handicapped and disabled, and havetrouble getting around.



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I dont know where else to go.



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Sacramento River, upstream of the DeltaGulf of Mexico, New Orleans

50 F088 F0



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I can assure you any efforts you make tocommunicate risk to these people will be squashed

-(paraphrased) Planner, Central Valley, CA

Jones Tract, 2004


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The Levee Problem.

National Flood Insurance Program

Image credit: Jessica Ludy


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The story of Bill and Bob:

20

10

0

100 year flood

Bob has to buy

flood insuranceBill is safe behind aFEMA accredited levee

National Flood Insurance Program

Graphic: John Cain


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How well do residents protected by 100-year levees

understand their true level of risk?

The Question


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Why does it matter?

Behaviorin an emergency is tied to risk perception

Floodlossestend to belarger where people are unaware

Exposing people to involuntary risk means people cannot choose

to avoid the threat.

The Question


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The California Delta Study Area


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Stockton

Study Area

New development (2000)

1300 houses

Reaccredited 100-year levee

(2006)

Spanos Park West, Stockton

Jessica Ludy, 9 March 2013


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Survey questionsawareness, preparation, concern, flood knowledge, experience

Bear Creek Levee

Bear Creek

+3.0m

+0.

-0.7m

-1Bear Creek Levee

Bear Creek LeveeBear Creek

Lands from 0 to -12ft below sea-level

Study Area

Jessica Ludy, 9 March 2013


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Most households earn $80,000/year

Most households have a 4-year College education

Ethnically diverse

Development Characteristics

Study Area


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Residents not awareof flood risk

Not told they are at risk

Unprepared for a flood

Results

Survey Results

Photo: Andrea Gaffney


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Risk Perception

Results

How confident are you

that your levee will

protect you?

Is your property at risk?

not at all

somewhat

confident

very

high

moderate

low

not at all

very concerned

concerned

somewhat

no

Concern of flooded property


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If a levee broke and your property flooded, how deep would it get?

Results

50% were correct50% underestimated or were unsure

six inches at best, I

d think

hardly any,just the front lawn


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Access to information

Results

60% have not been informed

60% rarely hear about flooding

30% never hear about flooding

6% spoke with a real estate agent about flooding


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Understanding of a 100-year flood

no

yes

somewhat

Thought they understood,

but didnt

Results

31%

2.6%

14%

52.4%


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20% households have flood insurance

13% residents took precautionary measures

evacuation plans, valuables on 2nd story, disaster supply kit.

No boats.

Preparation

Results

Noaa photo library


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What does it all mean?

Residents are exposed to involuntary risk

People ofall levels of income/education are unaware

(not just low-income/education)

Perception that 100-year standard protects from

all flooding.

Implications for policy, and for all of us.

Jessica Ludy, 9 March, 2013


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After taking this survey, I contacted Stockton City Hall

and was glibly told I hadnothing to worry about.

I need information. This opened my eyes.

Plus, I need to check whether this area is in a

flood area.

*Latest USACE Bear Creek Levee Assessment: Unacceptable



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-Educate individuals for individual measures

-Educate individuals to build political will for

collective measures; Polderen

-Educate planners, builders, developers,

decision-makers



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University of California, Berkeley is hosting

an international design competition open

to individuals and students.

http://watermarkscompetition.org

The idea is to design spaces in landscapes

that communicate water and risk.

Water Marks Competition
http://watermarkscompetition.org/http://watermarkscompetition.org/

Jessica Ludy BRWIV

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