Response to Flood Early Warning Messages among Residents of Flood-Prone Areas in Jalingo Metropolis
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Flood early warning systems (FEWS) are central to disaster risk reduction; however, their effectiveness depends not only on technical accuracy but also on how warnings are received, trusted, and acted upon by vulnerable populations. This study assesses residents’ responses to flood early warning messages in flood-prone areas of Jalingo Metropolis, Taraba State, Nigeria, with specific focus on communication channels, message believability, and attitudinal disposition. Adopting a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 400 residents selected through multi-stage sampling in high-risk communities along the Rivers Lamurde and Mayogwoi. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse patterns of exposure, credibility assessment, and attitudes towards flood warnings. Findings reveal that radio remains the predominant channel for warning dissemination (75.25%), confirming its continued relevance in disaster communication. However, despite high exposure, residents exhibit a predominantly sceptical perception of flood warnings, with 53.75% reporting only moderate believability and poor attitude to the messages. Item-level analysis indicates that past experiences of “false alarms,” low trust in government agencies, and preference for traditional authorities significantly undermine warning credibility. It recommends a hybrid, community-embedded communication approach to enhance credibility and behavioural responsiveness.
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