The flood recovery gap: a real‐time study of local recovery following the floods of June 2007 in Hull, North East England

Abstract

Learning to live with flood requires learning to manage flood recovery. While in the United Kingdom much attention has been given to improving preparedness to flood events – from more sophisticated warning systems to the development of flood event planning – we bring attention to in‐depth research on the processes of recovery and the challenges of addressing what we call the flood ‘recovery gap’. A growing body of research has documented the social, economic and health impacts of flooding, and the relationship between social and physical parameters of community resilience and preparedness. However, there remains a dearth of understanding about the processes people go through in recovering from flood disasters in the United Kingdom and the ways in which improving the experience of recovery can enhance resilience. Indeed, because resilience is defined in part by the time it takes to recover, it is imperative that more effective recovery is established. This article reports on the findings of a real‐time longitudinal study using an action research model to document and understand the everyday experiences of individuals following the floods of June 2007 in Hull. We argue that recovery involves a more varied process than is assumed within current accounts, one which falls between institutional boundaries. We conclude with suggestions for addressing the ‘recovery gap’.

Narratives of recovery after floods: Mental health, institutions, and intervention

“…The temporal period post flood has been highlighted in other longitudinal analyses as a time during which much change occurs (e.g. Medd et al, 2015). As such, the focus of the research on the fifteen-month period following the floods gave a degree of insight important for advancing understanding of response processes and impacts on wellbeing.…”

“…The importance of interventions by public agencies and institutions for recovery processes have been highlighted by several studies (e.g. Walker-Springett et al 2017;Medd et al 2015). In this context, it has been suggested that a recovery gap, with negative implications for mental health, arises when support from authorities is reduced or withdrawn after an initial period of response (Medd et al, 2015).…”

“…Walker-Springett et al 2017;Medd et al 2015). In this context, it has been suggested that a recovery gap, with negative implications for mental health, arises when support from authorities is reduced or withdrawn after an initial period of response (Medd et al, 2015). The institutional challenge is to provide appropriate support for a sufficient period, while also recognizing the specificities of need associated with different people, places, and flood events.…”

Sustainable flood memories, lay knowledges and the development of community resilience to future flood risk

“…For example, the Hull Flood Project used recovery diaries to capture reflections on health, social networks and economic wellbeing, collated into an archive of community recovery processes (Medd et al . ). Examples of mediating floods could also be observed after extreme European events (Trümper and Neverla ), like the Hamburg Floods (in 1962; Mauch ).…”

Governing for Drought and Water Scarcity in the Context of Flood Disaster Recovery: The Curious Case of Somerset, United Kingdom

“…In the aftermath of the flooding it was difficult to see how such a measured debate could in fact be initiated-after all these were lives and livelihoods that were devastated by the flooding and many are still involved in the necessary long-term emotional and physical work implicated in recovery from such extremes events (Medd et al 2014;Whittle et al 2011). Discussing 'drought and water scarcity' at such times could be seen to be highly political and highly insensitive to the lived experiences of flooding recovery (Medd et al 2014). After all, water is materially and socially a highly emotive subject-whether through its overabundance, its lack, or when polluted (Sultana 2011).…”