Flash flooding in Kansas : a study of emergency response and victims' perceptions.

Includes references

Several counties in south-central and south-east Kansas experienced flash floods in the first weeks of November 1998. The communities of Arkansas City and Augusta were among those most severely affected by these floods. Based on field work and a questionnaire survey administered among the residents of these two cities, this study analyzed the performance of emergency actions taken by local government in response to a major flash flood event. An attempt was also made to examine how victims recovered from this disaster. Four emergency response measures were considered in this study and overall respondent satisfaction with each was rated using a Likert Scale. The analysis of the survey data shows that the emergency response efforts to the impending flash flood were rated poorly by the respondents. The support victims received from external sources was also evaluated in a similar way. Although respondents of the selected cities differ with respect to their experience with the magnitude of flooding, and several socio-economic and demographic characteristics, their overall satisifaction level does not vary significantly. The only exception found was with the flood watch alerts. The findings of this study should prove useful to public officials in their efforts to effectively administer and manage emergency response measures and provide assistance for victims of future flash floods in small communities in Kansas and elsewhere