The Effects of Social Connections on Evacuation Decision Making during Hurricane Irma

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of individuals’ social connections in their decision to either evacuate or not evacuate in the days preceding the landfall of Hurricane Irma. Using Hurricane Irma in September 2017 as a case study, a survey was conducted on two groups (those who evacuated and those who did not evacuate) to assess people’s social connections specifically examining three dimensions: dependability, density, and diversity. These variables, together with socioeconomic variables (e.g., race/ethnicity, age, education), were considered in order to better explain the influences on evacuation decision-making. To collect accurate ephemeral decision-making data from evacuees, the surveys were completed during the evacuation for those who evacuated and shortly after the passage of Hurricane Irma for those who did not evacuate. Through statistical analyses, it was concluded that density and diversity of people’s social networks played a significant role in the decision to evacuate or not, with evacuees having more dense and diverse relationships. On the other hand, the perceived dependability of a person’s social connections (i.e., their perceived access to resources and support) did not significantly impact the decision to evacuate for Hurricane Irma. This study has important implications for adding to the knowledge base on community-based sustainable disaster preparedness and resilience.

Geophysical and Social Influences on Evacuation Decision-Making: The Case of Hurricane Irma

“…Similarly, the significant relationship found between mobilization of social connections and education suggests an increased opportunity to activate those relationships in a time of need. Finally, these findings support the literature on social capital [27,50] as an intangible experience that in the midst of a hazard may factor into decision-making and evacuation behavior.…”

“…Studies by Collins et al also provide further understanding into the factors that influence people's decisions about evacuation [49,50]. Two studies of evacuees and non-evacuees impacted by Hurricanes Matthew in 2016 and Irma in 2017 examined how social connections affect evacuation behavior.…”

Evacuee Perception of Geophysical Hazards for Hurricane Irma

“…Wind had the highest mean score of 3.37, followed by storm size at 3.29 (Table 2). Wind was the most common reason why people decided to evacuate among the physical variables in this research and the social variables in Collins et al (2018). Concern for wind was significantly higher than every other hazard, except for storm size.…”

“…Data collection procedures targeted evacuees at interstate rest areas during the evacuation, following methods from Senkbeil et al (2010), Brommer and Senkbeil (2010), and Collins et al (2017). Rest areas often have high foot traffic with participants that are in relaxed atmospheres, resulting in high response rates.…”

“…Questions about hurricane hazards (wind, storm surge, storm size, tornadoes, rainfall/flooding, and falling trees) were included. A novel approach used in this research was the collection of risk-perception data during the evacuation while the meteorological conditions of the storm were being forecast (Senkbeil et al 2010;Brommer and Senkbeil 2010;Collins et al 2017). This real-time data collection allows participants to more accurately recount the intricacies of their decision-making process.…”