EXPOSURE TO FLOODING OF COMMUNITIES ALONG EPIE CREEK IN YENAGOA METROPOLIS OF BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

The study on the exposure to flooding of communities along the Epie Creek in YenagoaLocal Government Area of Bayelsa State was investigated. The study considered some physical factors which can expose inhabitants of an area to flooding. Hence, data on flood height reached on buildings and the elevation above MSL as well as the spatial variation in the dimension of flood waters around residential houses with reference to the stream channel (Epie Creek) was evaluated using inferential and descriptive statistics. The results of the analyses showed that areaswithin Ekeki, Amarata and Onopa are more at risk of flooding due to the height of flood waters reached on buildings. But the results of the elevation of the area slightly differs as areas within Yenezue-Epie-Okaka and Etegwe-Okutukutu are found to be relatively lower (9.5m) than other areas and are expected to be more vulnerable to flooding. Thus, there was no significant correlation between flood height and the elevation of the area above MSL. Hence, the flood height reached on buildings at different location is not directly caused by elevation. On the flood dimension in the area, the study revealed that ‘proximity’ is a major factor that exposes the inhabitants of Epie Creek to flooding especially for those whose dwellings are located close to the Creek. Hence, the study recommends the total relocation of people living very close to the Epie Creek to allow for better planning of the area.