Assessment of Flood Awareness and Impact in Selected Southern States in Nigeria

Background: Floods remain one of the most destructive climate-induced hazards in Southern Nigeria, causing extensive damage to lives, properties, and infrastructure. Research Aim: This study investigates the level of flood awareness and its impact in three flood-prone southern states—Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Lagos. Methodology: Using a positivist, cross-sectional survey approach, data were collected from 118 respondents through an online questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS 22 using descriptive and Pearson correlation tools. Results: Results revealed that 59.3% of respondents reported being aware of flood causes, while 47.5% had personally experienced flooding. Despite this awareness, only 13.6% followed weather alerts regularly, and just 6.8% had received any flood response training. Critically, 79.7% received no warning before flood events. The impact was significant—66.1% experienced property damage, 32.2% reported cholera, and 59.3% received no post-flood assistance. Statistically, flood preparedness negatively correlated with perceived severity (r = -0.273, p < 0.01) and recovery duration (r = -0.607, p < 0.01). Conversely, training positively influenced awareness and reduced flood severity (r = -0.553, p < 0.01). There is a moderately strong level of flood awareness in Southern Nigeria; Flood was found to impact negatively on properties i.e. buildings and human health; The severity of flooding was moderately rated; Participants’ perception of the state of being sufficiently ready for handling flood events negatively correlates with various factors such as the intensity of flood, knowing people who flood affected, previous warnings and duration of recovery from flood events. Findings underscore the urgent need for localized flood risk communication, structural preparedness, and early warning systems. The study recommends a three-tier response involving education, community planning, and policy enforcement to improve resilience.