CS8A - From Translational to Transformational Flood Risk Communication: How USACE is Shifting its Communication About Dams, Levees, and Flooding

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Dam and Levee Safety Programs are rich with technical knowledge and information about how dams and levees work, how they can fail, and what the impacts are if failure occurs. To date, the programs have placed emphasis on getting the details right and translating information for public consumption. Far too often this translation process is arduous and still leaves the agency focusing more on what it wants to communicate instead of framing information and communication to promote action and collaboration to address flooding. This session will provide an overview of a 24-month study USACE completed with HDR-Gannett Fleming on how to improve its communication practice and integrate social and behavioral science-based approaches to engage communities and individuals in flood risk decisions. Presenters will discuss how USACE has updated its communication initiatives based on this study and explore approaches that may be relevant to others in the flood risk community.