Eleventh International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

Natural processes variability has been linked to Climate scenario, just as most coastal cities around the world are increasingly facing impacts of climate change - induced flooding. Thus, the menacing impacts of flash flooding in urban and non urbanized communities in Nigeria comes with evidently discernible dangers to lives and properties, yet preparedness and response which are key drivers of mitigation, resilience and community adaptation to flood disasters are barely in place. This necessitated this study which investigated Socio-economic vulnerability to flash floods and how preparedness planning and response have enhanced or otherwise the strategies for down-scaling the losses to flood disasters. The study adopted survey research design in which vulnerability assessment and Disaster Loss Data Methods were employed in drawing up questionnaire on indicators used, while geospatial techniques were deployed to track, map areas prone to flash floods and analyse the pattern observed. Findings revealed severe flash flood impacts on lives and properties in the locality together with urban farmland and crops lost during the flooding. Health facilities, business activities, schooling as well as some sacred engagements were also disrupted. Sudden flood inundations were found to have displaced many people from their homes, with the elderly and the children in the locality highly affected and most vulnerable. The paper thus calls for a more effective and integrated flood control plan of action to mobilize stakeholders and the Municipal Council Authority to put in place preparedness strategies to flash floods occurrence to mitigate the pain, losses and their associated vulnerabilities.