Early warning system guidance to mitigate flash flood impacts in Petra region, Jordan
The frequent occurrence of natural disasters; especially flash floods, are resulting the significant threats to many countries around the world. The truth that cannot be ignored, is that the effects of flash floods on the developing countries’ societies and economies are massive, compared with developed countries. Petra region; which is located in Jordan, is exposed to flash flood risks, which led to losses in lives, public and private properties. While the frequencies and impacts of flash floods might not be controlled easily, the need for more effective early warning systems has become extremely important. United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and many researchers assumed that if an effective tsunami early warning system had been in place in the Indian Ocean region on 26 December 2004, thousands of lives would have been saved. Accordingly, Petra Region’s communities have experienced the impacts of flash floods in recent years due to absence of early warning systems and the lack of knowledge among communities about flash flood risks. These problems provide the context and demonstrate the significance of this study. Research aims to develop a responsive Flash Flood Early Warning System Guidance (FFEWSG) to enhance resilience in Petra Region. This research takes the social constructivism (interpretivism) stance in the continuum of philosophy and adopts a case study research strategy with qualitative method of research techniques. The research data collection was conducted in three phases. During the first phase, pilot semi structured interviews were conducted among people in Petra Region while the second phase focused on collecting the data from disaster affected communities, and disaster experts using semi-structured interviews. The third phase gathered information from Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) documents. Data was analysed using content analysis. The research investigated flash floods in developed and developing countries; reviewed previous reports of flash flood events in Petra Region and how they affect the study area; and current early warning systems related to flooding. The research recommended a flash flood early warning system that could empower the local governmental institutions to mitigate flash flood impacts and enhance the resilience in Petra Region. It is expected that the research will add significant empirical evidence on the elements of the guidance within early warning system for flash flood, and will provide a useful tool in Petra Region for stakeholders, particularly for the government or the implementing agencies, helping to ensure the success of reducing the flash flood risks by the development of FFEWSG.
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