“Expect More Floods In 2013”: An analysis of flood preparedness in the flood prone City of Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

In 2013, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) issued a prediction of heavy rainfall with consequent flooding in some major cities of Nigeria particularly Ibadan. In light of the country’s previous flood experiences, citizens and government were promptly alerted and advised to be fully prepared for imminent floods. Against this background, this paper sought to determine the level of flood preparedness among households in Ibadan where a survey of 275 households was conducted. Chi-square test was used to establish significant variations in the level of flood preparedness, the level of awareness of NIMET flood warning, flood risk perception and subscription to flood insurance. Findings show that the levels of awareness about NIMET flood warning (36.4%), flood risk perception (24.4%), flood preparedness (26.9%) and the flood insurance subscription rate (11.6%) were generally low. With the Chi square test, significant variations in the level of flood preparedness (X²= 32.984; p=0.000) and in flood insurance subscription (X²=27.585; p=0.002) were found in the city. The paper recommends that intensive public flood preparedness campaigns, higher flood insurance adoption, regular environmental sanitation among others should be taken in the future.

Keywords: Floods, Flood insurance, Risk perception, Flood preparedness, Ibadan