Dynamics of Hurricane Risk Perception

Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO

Investigators

Abstract

This study will add to our understanding of how individuals view hurricane risk and how this shapes their decisions in the face of a potential evacuation order. The study is designed to accomplish three goals. First, we will develop a detailed attitude questionnaire for hurricane risk perception. Second, we will examine how hurricane risk perception acts on hurricane evacuation. Third, we will take a close look at the information sources that people use during an approaching hurricane and evaluate how these information sources influence evacuation behavior. To accomplish these goals, we will establish a panel of about 600 individuals to be recruited from the U.S. Gulf and East Coast areas often affected by hurricanes. Over three years we will conduct several mail surveys of these panelists to understand their perception of hurricane risk. And during each hurricane season we will conduct phone interviews of the panelists who are being presented with a potential hurricane evacuation order. The results of this study will provide a wide range of benefits. We will provide important new information on how people react to hurricanes. This knowledge can then be used by many other researchers to conduct other investigations on hurricanes. The scientific results of this study will also be useful to researchers working on problems involving how people react to other natural hazards as well, such as wildfires or earthquakes. The results will also have more immediate practical benefits. An important problem involving hurricane warnings is the manner in which maps and other communications are used to inform the public. Since this project will collect information from people while they are actively using such maps and communications we will be able to provide recommendations for ways to improve these risk communication tools. We hope this study will serve to improve the way that hurricane warnings are communicated. In a broader perspective this study will also provide insight into the basic ways that coastal residents view living in hurricane prone areas. This knowledge can be of use to urban planners and disaster managers to help guide the way that our growing coastal populations are situated.