Using videos in floods and bushfires to educate, signal risk, and promote protective action in the community

•Visuals are a critical component to the public information and warnings ecosystem to translate information about a hazard, associated risk, and what protective action is appropriate.•Videos using actual event footage of the severity and impact of a natural hazard are helpful at informing risk perceptions and coping appraisal, and encouraging preparatory and protective action intentions.•Videos using infographics, concise information, and people’s recounts of past experiences are useful to improve community knowledge about a hazard prior to an emergency.•Some videos are more appropriate for the preparation versus response phase of a natural hazard emergency depending on whether they help shape community knowledge, increase risk perceptions, or offer guidance on protective action.