Flooding In Diego Martin Analysis

Scholarly material based on flooding in Diego Martin, specifically, and the preparedness levels of its residents proved to be very difficult to obtain. However, as major flooding events have occurred within the past five years it is expected that research is still being conducted on the area.
In Beard’s (2012) article it is noted that the greater area of Port-of-Spain, which includes Diego Martin, is prone to flooding due to sedimentation and development of the area. Flooding may occur after a prolonged period of rainfall resulting in the overflowing of the river banks, along with the impermeable surfaces of the developed area. It is also said that the intensity of the flooding is affected by the deforestation of the hillsides, as the rains
Vulnerability has been explained as the degree to which a community is at risk of extreme physical or natural phenomena occurring, risk referring to the probability of occurrence and the degree to which socio-economic and socio-political factors affect the community’s capacity to absorb and recover, (Maskrey, 1993; Westgate and O’Keefe, 1976). Another definition of vulnerability states that it is a characteristic, produced by factors of class, gender or ethnicity, of persons who inhabit various spaces, where they are differentiated based on their position in society into more or less vulnerable groups, (Cannon, 1993). Cannon also states that vulnerability can be divided into three aspects. The first aspect is that of the resilience of an individual or group, which indicates economic resilience and capacity of recoverability. Second, is based on the health of an individual as in that of robustness and immunity. The third aspect is the level of preparedness of an individual or group, based on self-protection and social factors. These aspects cover a vast amount of vulnerabilities as well as the various types of vulnerabilities, much like those contributed by Aysan (1993). Alcántara-Ayala (2002) states that vulnerability could not be treated as homogenous but rather as dynamic, including four major sub-headings; social,
Risk perception includes the assessment of person’s awareness, emotions and behaviour in relation to hazards, (Kellens et al, 2011). Raaijmakers et al (2008) define risk as a measurable variable which is evaluated based on probabilities and consequences. It can be noticed by the available literature that there is a greater emphasis on aspects of objective risk measures as opposed to subjective risk measurement, including risk perception (Schanza, 2007). As a result of this limited knowledge, there can be difficulties in communicating risks as well as knowledge of mitigation measures (Terpstra et al, 2006). The lack of perception research can lead to the limitation of risk communication due to the narrow understanding of the, fears and concerns of individual citizens and public groups (Bier, 2001). Botzen et al (2009) adds that risk perception of natural hazards can give insight to persons’ willingness to take precautionary measures as well as the support of governmental mitigation