POPULATION EVACUATION: ASSESSING SPATIAL VARIABILITY IN GEOPHYSICAL RISK AND SOCIAL VULNERABILITY TO NATURAL HAZARDS

Developing an effective evacuation strategy for hurricane zones presents challenges to emergency planners because of spatial differences in geophysical risk and social vulnerability. This study examines spatial variability in evacuation assistance needs as related to the hurricane hazard. Two quantitative indicators are developed: a geophysical risk index, based on National Hurricane Center and National Flood Insurance Program data, and a social vulnerability index, based on census information. These indices are combined to determine spatial patterns of evacuation assistance needs in Hillsborough County, Florida. Four evacuation dimensions are analyzed: population traits and building structures, differential access to resources, special evacuation needs, and a combination of variables. Results indicate that geophysical risk and social vulnerability can produce different spatial patterns that complicate emergency management. Different measures of social vulnerability also confound evacuation strategies and can result in ineffective practices. It is argued that careful consideration be given to the characteristics of local populations.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/15276988
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Chakraborty, J
  • Tobin, G A
  • Montz, Be
• Publication Date: 2005-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 23-33
• Serial:
  • Natural Hazards Review
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 1527-6988
  • EISSN: 1527-6996
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/journal/nhrefo

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Disaster preparedness; Disasters; Emergency management; Evacuation; Geographic information systems; Hazards and emergency operations; Hurricanes; Socioeconomic factors
• Uncontrolled Terms: Vulnerability
• Geographic Terms: Florida
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00986538
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 22 2005 12:00AM