Storm surge flooding: risk perception and coping strategies of residents in Tsawwassen, British Columbia

Abstract

This thesis examines how residents perceived and coped with storm surge flooding in Tsawwassen, British Columbia. On February 4, 2006 the community experienced a storm surge flood that affected residents within the neighbourhoods of Beach Grove and Boundary Bay Village. This study identifies how residents perceived and coped with the flood, and what factors influenced how individuals perceived and coped. Qualitative methods were used for this study, and a total of 23 in-person interviews were completed. The findings of this research showed that how participants perceived the threat of storm surge flooding and how they coped with the flooding varied greatly. Government intervention; the influence of family, friends and neighbours; the perceived benefits of living in the area; experience; financial support; and perception of other hazards all influenced how the participants perceived and coped with the storm surge flood.