Assessment of Flooding Patterns and Community Responses in Makurdi, Benue State

Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, occupies a floodplain position along the Benue River and experiences severe annual flooding events that cause widespread property damage, displacement, and livelihood disruption across multiple community zones. This study assesses flood inundation patterns and documents community responses in Makurdi Local Government Area using a combination of remote sensing, hydrological data analysis, and household surveys. Sentinel-1 SAR imagery was used to map flood extent during the 2022 flood event, which affected large portions of the city. Rainfall and river discharge data from the Benue State Water Resources Management Agency were analysed to characterise flood frequency and severity. Structured interviews with 160 flood-affected households collected data on flood damage, displacement duration, coping strategies, and satisfaction with institutional emergency response. Results indicate that approximately 22,000 hectares within the Makurdi LGA boundary were inundated during the 2022 event, affecting an estimated 47,000 residents. Community coping strategies are predominantly reactive and temporary, including elevation of household goods, short-term relocation to schools and churches, and post-flood livelihood diversification. Satisfaction with government emergency response is low, with 71 percent of respondents rating it as inadequate. Long-term protective infrastructure including river embankments, flood retention areas, and improved early warning communication is identified as the priority need. Recommendations include floodplain management zoning, community-based early warning networks, and climate-adaptive infrastructure standards for public buildings in flood risk zones. Keywords: flooding, Makurdi, community response, Benue River, flood management.