Julia Graf, Renate Renner, Thomas Klebel
Effective risk communication is a core element of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030), emphasizing the importance of early warning and public information in mitigating disaster impacts. However, existing research often treats risk communication as a uniform process, lacking in systematic differentiation between short-term warnings and long-term adaptation strategies. This scoping review analyzes 194 peer-reviewed studies to examine how risk communication strategies vary across temporal dimensions (short-term, long-term, hybrid), hazard groups (atmospheric, geophysical, hydrological, biophysical, multiple hazards) and intended purpose. Communication goals are categorized through an inductively developed approach: “Act, Prepare, and Aware”, and mapped across four major hazard groups. Across hazard types, atmospheric hazards are predominantly addressed through hybrid (41 %) and short-term (25 %) strategies. Geophysical hazards are strongly associated with hybrid approaches (43 %). Hydrological hazards display the widest variation across temporal categories. Purely long-term formats, however, are rarely found across all hazard types (1.4 %), despite their strategic importance for resilience. Findings suggest that the choice of communication strategy can be tied to the nature and dynamics of each hazard type. This review identifies key patterns, research gaps, and a structured basis for further evaluation and the development of risk communication. It provides an overview of current literature and guidance for developing context-sensitive, temporally integrated communication strategies. • A scoping review maps 194 studies on natural hazard risk communication. • Hybrid strategies (TIME3) dominate across hazard types and objectives. • Long-term communication is often missing across hazard groups. • APA model links communication to Action, Preparation, and Awareness goals. • Communication is collaborative; participatory formats build resilience.