Early warning systems and evacuation: rare and extreme versus frequent and small‐scale tropical cyclones in the Philippines and Dominica

Abstract

Survey questionnaires were administered among populations affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines in 2013 and Hurricane Maria in Dominica in 2017 to test the efficacy of early warning systems in prompting residents to take appropriate action ahead of severe hazards. Both events were rare and extreme but occurred in locations that regularly experience less severe tropical cyclones. The research assessed if, how, and when residents received warnings, what instructions were given, and where and when people decided to seek safety. In both of the cases under review, residents were aware of the approaching storms, but critical information on their severity and potential impacts was either not received in time or not understood fully, resulting in low levels of evacuation and safety‐seeking behaviour. This paper suggests that planning and public communication need to focus on the uncertainty surrounding the severity and multifaceted nature of tropical cyclones and accompanying hazards and their consequences.

Benchmarking household storm surge risk perceptions to scientific models in the Philippines

“…Public risk perceptions of hazards are an important element that shapes disaster policy and response (Peacock et al 2005). There is a growing body of knowledge about perceptions of storm surge, with significant work dedicated to understanding awareness of the hazard characteristics (Esteban et al 2016), sources of knowledge (Neussner 2014), and how warning messages are understood and interpreted (Yore and Walker 2020). However, much of the previous literature utilizes actual impacts from disasters, rather than examining the alignment (or lack thereof) between public perceptions and scientific models.…”

Disaster vulnerability by demographics?

“…Even for disaster evacuation and sheltering, locations with high population density can enact swift and effective measures through planning, training, suitable routes, and sufficient vehicles and organisation (Renne, 2018). People in non-urban areas have frequently been trapped when a wildfire is burning across their only escape road or a flood or earthquake severs it -or if information flow for warnings is inhibited, so residents decide not to evacuate, as documented for the Philippines and Dominica (Yore and Faure Walker, 2020). The safety and success of disaster evacuation is determined more by preparation and readiness than by population numbers and densities.…”

Factors Associated with Housing Damage Caused by an EF4 Tornado in Rural Areas of Funing, China

“…In particular, housing damage is a great concern due to casualties, resettlement, and post-disaster reconstruction [ 14 , 15 ]. However, information on the factors affecting housing damage is limited [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Analyzing the factors influencing housing damage in tornados enables us to learn from disasters and reduce losses by improving disaster prevention measures.…”