Flood risk perception in the Red River Basin, Manitoba: Implications for hazard and disaster management

A key element in hazard and disaster management is awareness of how stakeholders perceive risk. The primary goal of this study is to examine flood risk perception and its role in decision-making in relation to hazard and disaster management in the Red River Basin, Manitoba, Canada. The specific study objectives are to: (1) assess the nature of perceived risk at both the local and organizational levels; (2) determine if there is any variation between perceived risk among flood area residents and institutional experts; (3) identify various factors that influence perceptions of risk and decision-making processes at the local level; and (4) examine the variations in flood area residents' perceptions of risk and flood-related issues based on their geographical location.; In order to achieve the objectives of the study, the research methods selected were qualitative in nature. A modified Delphi Process was utilized to solicit subjective, informed judgments from residents and decision makers in the basin. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...