Although England has been experiencing major floods dating back thousands of years,
the hazard is increasing in frequency and intensity, exacerbated by climate risks with
potentially serious consequences. Despite attempts to mitigate climate risks
(manifested via recurrent flooding) in line with international disaster risk reduction
agendas, the impacts/effects of floods continue to increase in England. This is partly
due to negligence in inculcating contemporary flood risk perceptions (FRP) into climate
risk management (CRM) strategies. This research aims to investigate contemporary
FRM in England through a qualitative case study approach in Wainfleet All Saints in
Lincolnshire County that experienced unprecedented floods in June 2019. Empirical
investigation was conducted with the flood-affected community members and flood
managers with oversight of CRM in the region. Key findings reveal the June 2019
floods had both tangible and intangible impacts for the affected community with
dreadful effects. Challenges to CRM revealed issues around limited funding; climate
changes’ potential to increase flood risk and low community perception of their own
risks reflected in poor/none-preparedness for contemporary floods. The multi-agency
response to the June 2019 floods was found to be positive, albeit with a few concerns.
Based on the analysis of the findings, a series of policy recommendations are proffered
with the aim to spur organisational/institutional resilience to CRM. This article
underscores the relevance to continuously include contemporary FRP into CRM
strategies specially to enhance community participation and involvement in mitigating
their own risks