Understanding the Socioeconomic Effects of Flooding on Households and Coping Strategies in Jalingo Local Government Area, Nigeria

Abstract Flooding constitutes one of the most pervasive and disruptive environmental hazards in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet its specific socioeconomic ramifications in secondary urban centers remain inadequately documented. This study employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating GIS-based flood vulnerability mapping with household surveys (n = 400) to assess physical exposure, livelihood disruptions, health risks, and household coping strategies among flood-affected households in Jalingo, Nigeria. The findings reveal that over 60% of the study area falls within moderate to very high flood vulnerability zones, predominantly concentrated along the floodplains of the Lamurde and Mayogwoi rivers. The 2022 flood event damaged 34.8% of residential structures and precipitated extensive losses in agriculture, infrastructure, and public health. More than 68% of households reported experiencing flood-related diseases, while school-aged children faced educational disruptions due to impassable roads (45.7%) and damaged facilities (31.9%). Critically, 42% of households adopted no coping strategies, and 68% lacked alternative income sources. Institutions' responses and relief support were perceived predominantly as inadequate. These findings elucidate the intricate relationship between environmental exposure, socioeconomic vulnerability, and constrained adaptive capacity. The study underscores the imperative for integrated disaster risk management, livelihood diversification, and robust urban planning aligned with the Sendai Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals. The integration of spatial analysis with community-level data provides a replicable framework for assessing urban flood risk in similarly vulnerable contexts across Sub-Saharan Africa.