To rebuild or not to rebuild in coastal flood zones: The effects of framing and partisan cues on public support

Abstract

Coastal storms are likely to increase in frequency and become even more damaging. An unresolved policy issue is whether current residents should receive federal subsidies through such programs as the Federal Flood Insurance Program or the FEMA disaster relief program that encourage thembe encouraged to rebuild in the same locations that have suffered damage through federal subsidies such as subsidized flood insurance or the FEMA disaster relief fund. This research investigated the impact that messages framed to either support or oppose such government assistance for rebuilding had on respondent opinion. We looked at opinion on not only the rebuilding itself but also other related subjects such as the economic and environmental impacts of rebuilding in situ. The research further looked at the ways in which attributing these messages to partisan sources affected response. We found that message frames either highlighting the benefits or the costs of rebuilding had a marked impact on public opinion and that partisan source cues played a smaller role. This issue of responsibility for rebuilding is likely to continue to become even more important as climate change puts even more coastal residents at risk.