Structural Forces: Perception and Vulnerability Factors for Tornado Sheltering within Mobile and Manufactured Housing in Alabama and Mississippi

Abstract

Southeastern U.S. mobile and manufactured housing (MH) residents are the most tornado-vulnerable subset of the population because of both physical and socioeconomic factors. This study builds upon prior MH resident tornado vulnerability research by statistically and geographically analyzing responses from a survey administered to these residents in the Southeast. Specifically, 257 Alabama and Mississippi MH residents were administered a survey with questions pertaining to their perceived tornado risk and vulnerability, protective action and decision-making, and beliefs about the structural integrity of their homes. Results indicate that, despite the weather and emergency management enterprises consistently suggesting that MH residents evacuate their homes for sturdier shelter during tornado events, more than 50% of MH residents believe their homes are safe sheltering locations. The prevalence of larger MHs in northern Alabama partially influences willingness to shelter within one’s MH, while higher levels of negative affectivity stemming from recent impactful tornadoes in northern Alabama influences people to evacuate their MHs for safety. Study findings also uncovered a perception and vulnerability paradox for these residents: Those who have the means to evacuate their MH often feel they have no need to do so, whereas those who recognize the potential peril of sheltering in their home and want to evacuate often lack the resources and/or self-efficacy to carry out more desirable sheltering plans. Overall, study results provide valuable information for National Weather Service forecasters, emergency managers, and media partners so that they may use it for public outreach and MH resident education.

The impact of probabilistic tornado warnings on risk perceptions and responses.

“…However, other than Klockow-McClain et al (2020), there has been little research to explore whether and how people draw upon these place-based orientations, past tornado experiences, or correspondent tornado knowledge when interpreting georepresentations of deterministic and probabilistic tornado warning information. Therefore, the interviews were conducted with people who reside in a tornado-prone area in the United States to investigate how people’s responses were influenced by their tornado experiences (Demuth, 2018), beliefs (Ash, 2017; Klockow et al, 2014), knowledge (Liu et al, 2019), and the context of their lives (Ash et al, 2020).…”

Examining Tornado Vulnerability in Kansas with Recent Findings from an EF4 Tornado

“…The literature largely agrees that individuals with more education and income are more likely to prepare for and take protective action during tornadoes (Liu et al 1996;Balluz et al 2000;Senkbeil et al 2012Senkbeil et al , 2014Brotzge and Donner 2013;Lim et al 2017). Furthermore, the literature agrees that the type of housing, spatial distribution of housing, and access to safe shelter also influences one's reaction to tornado warnings (Chaney and Weaver 2010;Chaney et al 2013;Ashley and Strader 2016;Ash et al 2020). People who live in mobile homes or older manufactured homes, a particularly dangerous structure during tornadoes, are less likely to take sheltering actions (Donner 2007;Sutter and Poitras 2010).…”

“…People who live in mobile homes or older manufactured homes, a particularly dangerous structure during tornadoes, are less likely to take sheltering actions (Donner 2007;Sutter and Poitras 2010). This could be due to many reasons, including the intersection of vulnerability factors: mobile home residents often have lower education and lower income levels, are more likely to be disabled, and altogether have fewer resources to be able to shelter and less access to appropriate shelters (Fothergill and Peek 2004;Lim et al 2017;Ash et al 2020).…”

Exploring southeast US mobile and manufactured home residents’ anchoring decisions

“…For example, there are higher percentages of people with disabilities and substance abuse issues [15]; elderly citizens who often have decreased mobility, higher rates of health issues, and poorer hearing [15,16,17,18]; migrant populations with language limitations [19,20]; and people living below the poverty level [21]. Further, researchers have found a slight majority of this population believes their home is a safe shelter location for a tornado [22] and fewer than 30% evacuate ahead of a tornado, despite the safety guidance given by the NWS and FEMA [23,24,25].…”