Improving Storm Surge Risk Communication: Stakeholder Perspectives

Morrow, Betty Hearn; Lazo, Jeffrey K.; Rhome, Jamie; Feyen, Jesse

doi:10.1175/bams-d-13-00197.1

Cited by 84 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 43 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Emergency managers and broadcasters are aware that the public does not adequately understand the nature of storm surge or their own storm surge vulnerability [17]. In a hurricane mental-models study conducted with forecasters, broadcasters, and public officials from Miami-Dade County, Florida, all participants mentioned high wind speeds and storm surge as hurricane threats.…”

Section: Mental Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decision Science Perspectives on Hurricane Vulnerability: Evidence from the 2010–2012 Atlantic Hurricane Seasons

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:Although the field has seen great advances in hurricane prediction and response, the economic toll from hurricanes on U.S. communities continues to rise. We present data from Hurricanes Earl (2010), Irene (2011), Isaac (2012), and Sandy (2012 to show that individual and household decisions contribute to this vulnerability. From phone surveys of residents in communities threatened by impending hurricanes, we identify five decision biases or obstacles that interfere with residents' ability to protect themselves and minimize property damage: (1) temporal and spatial myopia, (2) poor mental models of storm risk, (3) gaps between objective and subjective probability estimates, (4) prior storm experience, and (5) social factors. We then discuss ways to encourage better decision making and reduce the economic and emotional impacts of hurricanes, using tools such as decision defaults (requiring residents to opt out of precautions rather than opt in) and tailoring internet-based forecast information so that it is local, specific, and emphasizes impacts rather than probability.

show abstract

Section: Mental Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decision Science Perspectives on Hurricane Vulnerability: Evidence from the 2010–2012 Atlantic Hurricane Seasons

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Research recently carried out in the USA showed that most emergency managers and broadcast meteorologists are concerned about the public's lack of comprehension of its vulnerability to storm surges (Morrow and Lazo, 2013a, b, c). In their opinion, many coastal residents lack sufficient knowledge about their vulnerability and do not comprehend the nature of storm surge (Morrow et al, 2014). Following Hurricane Katrina research indicated that emergency communication plans need to be improved for urban evacuation situations (Brodie et al, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing resilience to coastal flooding from severe storms in the USA: international lessons

Lumbroso

Suckall

Nicholls

et al. 2017

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Recent events in the USA have highlighted a lack of resilience in the coastal population to coastal flooding, especially amongst disadvantaged and isolated communities. Some low-income countries, such as Cuba and Bangladesh, have made significant progress towards transformed societies that are more resilient to the impacts of cyclones and coastal flooding. To understand how this has come about, a systematic review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature related to resilience of communities to coastal flooding was undertaken in both countries. In both Cuba and Bangladesh the trust between national and local authorities, community leaders and civil society is high. As a consequence evacuation warnings are generally followed and communities are well prepared. As a result over the past 25 years in Bangladesh the number of deaths directly related to cyclones and coastal flooding has decreased, despite an increase of almost 50 % in the number of people exposed to these hazards. In Cuba, over the course of eight hurricanes between 2003 and 2011, the normalized number of deaths related to cyclones and coastal floods was an order of magnitude less than in the USA. In low-income countries, warning systems and effective shelter/evacuation systems, combined with high levels of disaster risk-reduction education and social cohesion, coupled with trust between government authorities and vulnerable communities can help to increase resilience to coastal hazards and tropical cyclones. In the USA, transferable lessons include improving communication and the awareness of the risk posed by coastal surges, mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into the education system and building trusted community networks to help isolated and disadvantaged communities, and improve community resilience.

show abstract

“…Furthermore, Morrow et al . () surveyed emergency managers who reported a lack in public awareness for storm surge, and Sherman‐Morris et al . () examined graphical communication for storm surge, finding which colours best conveyed storm surge threat.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Perceptions of hurricane hazards in the mid‐Atlantic region

Saunders

Senkbeil

2017

Meteorological Applications

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT:The mid-Atlantic region of the United States is susceptible to tropical cyclone hazards. Within the past 15 years this region has experienced Hurricane Isabel in 2003, Hurricane Irene in 2011 and several tropical storms. The region was also impacted by post-tropical Sandy in 2012. The perception of hurricane hazards among residents of the mid-Atlantic region has not been directly researched. Furthermore, there is a lack of research on the comprehension of information from hurricane warning graphics that influences hazard perception. This research used a total of eight hypothetical scenarios (four pairs) that varied storm track and storm size to assess risk perception of hurricane hazards and characteristics. Each scenario was represented using a four-panelled map featuring the National Hurricane Center's cone of uncertainty, a new storm surge map and a new damaging wind map created by the authors. A Qualtrics survey was used to collect responses to questions about concern for personal harm and evacuation intent. Residents of the region perceived falling trees, potential for damaging winds and the size of the storm to be the greatest threats. Scenarios depicting larger storms with track lines that moved inland were seen as more hazardous, resulting in greater concern and evacuation intent. Coastal residents showed greater concern about distance from the track for all scenarios and greater evacuation intent for larger storms compared to inland residents.

show abstract

Improving Storm Surge Risk Communication: Stakeholder Perspectives

Cited by 84 publications

References 43 publications

Decision Science Perspectives on Hurricane Vulnerability: Evidence from the 2010–2012 Atlantic Hurricane Seasons

Decision Science Perspectives on Hurricane Vulnerability: Evidence from the 2010–2012 Atlantic Hurricane Seasons

Enhancing resilience to coastal flooding from severe storms in the USA: international lessons

Perceptions of hurricane hazards in the mid‐Atlantic region

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About