How can changes in the human-flood distance mitigate flood fatalities and displacements?

Comprehending the correlation between alterations in human-flood distance and flood fatalities (as well as displacements) is pivotal for formulating effective human adaptive strategies in response to floods. However, this relationship remains inadequately explored in existing global analyses. To address this gap, we examine 910 flood events occurring from 2000 to 2018, resulting in significant numbers of fatalities and displacements. We find that in 53% of countries, humans tend to distance from floods, particularly in the Middle East. Such distancing greatly mitigates flood fatalities and displacements. Simultaneously, in areas with increased flood protection level (FPL), humans are less likely to move away from floods. Furthermore, FPL and human-flood distance have decreased in regions affected by ice jam- and hurricane-induced floods from 2000 to 2018. Notably, regions with human-flood distance slightly below the average for a given flood type experience more severe flood fatalities.