Actionable and understandable? Evidence-based recommendations for the design of (multi-)hazard warning messages

This study addresses the challenges of mulit-hazard early warning platforms from a societal perspective with the aim to provide recommendations on how to design actionable and understandable hazard overviews and messages with clear time indications. Communicating event-related hazard information can help prompt effective public responses and, consequently, reduce injuries and fatalities. Real-time information is commonly communicated to the public through multi-hazard platforms. However, whether these platforms' messages are correctly understood and whether they increase people's intention to take action is yet to be proven.

The study thus aimed at compiling recommendations on how to develop actionable and understandable (multi-)hazard warning messages. The design of the hazard overviews, exerted no significant effect on people's intention to take action, probably because the participants showed a generally high interest in seeking further information. In contrast, the hazard overviews with time and action indications significantly increased people's understanding of whether they should take immediate actions.