Perceptions of severe storms, climate change, ecological structures and resiliency three years post-hurricane Sandy in New Jersey

Abstract

Global warming is leading to increased frequency and severity of storms that are associated with flooding, increasing the risk to urban, coastal populations. This study examined perceptions of the relationship between severe storms, sea level rise, climate change and ecological barriers by a vulnerable environmental justice population in New Jersey. Patients using New Jersey’s Federally Qualified Health Centers were interviewed after Hurricane [Superstorm] Sandy because it is essential to understand the perceptions of uninsured, underinsured, and economically challenged people to better develop a resiliency strategy for the most vulnerable people. Patients (N = 355) using 6 centers were interviewed using a structured interview form. Patients were interviewed in the order they entered the reception area, in either English or Spanish. Respondents were asked to rate their agreement with environmental statements. Respondents 1) agreed with experts that “severe storms were due to climate change”, “storms will come more often”, and that “flooding was due to sea level rise”, 2) did not agree as strongly that “climate change was due to human activity”, 3) were neutral for statements that “Sandy damages were due to loss of dunes or salt marshes”. 4) did not differ as a function of ethnic/racial categories, and 5) showed few gender differences. It is imperative that the public understand that climate change and sea level rise are occurring so that they support community programs (and funding) to prepare for increased frequency of storms and coastal flooding. The lack of high ratings for the role of dunes and marshes in preventing flooding indicates a lack of understanding that ecological structures protect coasts, and suggests a lack of support for management actions to restore dunes as part of a coastal preparedness strategy. Perceptions that do not support a public policy of coastal zone management to protect coastlines can lead to increased flooding, extensive property damages, and injuries or loss of life.

Concerns and future preparedness plans of a vulnerable population in New Jersey following Hurricane Sandy

“…Age, gender, and racial/ethnic identity are often associated with perceptions, concerns, environmental attitudes, and health effects, and this was apparent among the health centre respondents as well (Burger and Gochfeld, ; Burger, Gochfeld, and Lacy, ). Among people who did not plan to prepare, more were born in the US than elsewhere (47 versus 36 per cent), or had been in the country for longer (18 versus 15 years; see Table ).…”

“…On a scale of ‘1’ to ‘5’ (most severe), people rated their own personal impact as an average of ‘3’. Only 4 per cent of Whites said that they needed healthcare during Sandy, whereas it was 12 per cent for Hispanics and 14 per cent for Blacks (for more details, see Burger and Gochfeld, ; Burger, Gochfeld, and Lacy, ).…”

“…The form (print, radio, social media, or television), method, presentation, and language of communications are also significant. Language is a particular barrier to disaster preparedness before, during, and after a hurricane (Burger et al, ). Language was one of the problems mentioned by members of a Latino migrant population in North Carolina in relation to their lack of preparedness (Burke, Bethel, and Britt, ); they suggested having messages and emergency broadcasts in Spanish.…”

“…The questionnaire included information on the respondents' demographic circumstances, concerns during and immediately following Sandy, personal impacts of the hurricane on their home and family (scale: ‘0’ (none) to ‘5’ (very severe), access to the centre and centre use, disruption of their medical services during Sandy (all within two to three weeks of the event), whether they evacuated, and what they planned to do in the event of a future severe storm (open‐ended). Ethnicity/racial status was by self‐identification, using the following United States Census Bureau categories: ‘White’ (White non‐Hispanic); ‘Black’ (Black or African‐American, non‐Hispanic); ‘Hispanic’ (Hispanic or Latino); or Asian (Burger et al, ). The focus of this paper is on future preparedness plans in relation to the experiences (evacuation, impacts) and concerns of the interviewees during and immediately after Sandy.…”