Communicating Hurricane Risks

Abstract

Conveying uncertainty in information artifacts is difficult; the challenge only grows as the demand for mass communication through multiple channels expands. In particular, as natural hazards increase with changing global conditions, including hurricanes which threaten coastal areas, we need better means of communicating uncertainty around risks that empower people to make good decisions. We examine how people share and respond to a range of visual representations of risk from authoritative sources during hurricane events. Because these images are now shared widely on social media platforms, Twitter provides the means to study them on a large scale as close to in vivo as possible. Using mixed methods, this study analyzes diffusion of and reactions to forecast and other risk imagery during the highly damaging 2017 Atlantic hurricane season to describe the collective response to visual representations of risk. CCS CONCEPTS • Human-centered computing → Empirical studies in collaborative and social computing;

Dynamic ensemble visualizations to support understanding for uncertain trajectories.

“…These issues should be addressed so that there are clear recommendations on how to present the zoomies and thus the presentation is standardized. In observing that track ensembles are rarely shared on social media as information about hurricanes (chosen only 3% of the time), Bica et al (2019) point to the potential role of unfamiliarity and lack of standardization with these line ensemble visualizations. To avoid a similar issue with zoomies, the displays should first be empirically evaluated and standardized.…”

Machines, Monsters, and Coffin Corners: Broadcast Meteorologists’ Use of Figurative and Intense Language during Hurricane Harvey

“…Comparisons to previous events operate in a similar way by allowing users to compare Harvey to their previous hurricane and flooding experiences. Research indicates that reflections on previous disasters are common when faced with a potential disaster (Bica et al 2019), and these reflections can influence decision-making (Demuth et al 2016).…”

Differences in perceived sources of uncertainty in natural hazards science advice: lessons for cross-disciplinary communication

“…Research has demonstrated that we rely on trust in, experience of, and knowledge about, a communicator to judge communications when we do not fully understand the message (Renn and Levine, 1991;Hocevar et al, 2017;Johnson et al, 2023). Research has also shown that individuals use various indicators of trust as a heuristic to evaluate scientific information, such as recognizing an organization's logo or stamp on a message or image (Bica et al, 2019). Any distrust in this agency or in the media carrying their message, due to political views or distrust of authority, can thus also impact this evaluation.…”