Recreancy and Resilience: How Institutional Measures Shape Household Disaster Preparedness

• In Event: Student Forum Roundtables Session
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Roundtable 10: Environment and Inequality

Abstract

Amid increasing anthropogenic and climate-induced disasters, government and emergency response agencies play a crucial role in preparedness, response, and recovery. However, repeated institutional failures such as inadequate evacuation planning, misinformation, and critical infrastructure breakdowns can erode public trust. Hurricane Beryl, which struck southern Texas in 2024, exposed many of these vulnerabilities. At least ten fatalities were linked to falling trees, flooding, carbon monoxide poisoning from unsafe generator use, medical equipment failure due to power outages, and extreme heat. A 2024 Texas Trends Survey conducted by the University of Houston and Texas Southern University reported that approximately three million residents lost power, many for up to two weeks, prompting multiple lawsuits against CenterPoint Energy. Prolonged outages led to food spoilage, mold growth, increased living expenses, business interruptions, and dangerous heat conditions. Despite Texas’s extensive experience with hurricanes, institutional responses continue to fall short of effectively mitigating impacts. Such persistent recreancy, defined as the failure of institutions to fulfill their responsibilities, may influence public preparedness behaviors. This study examines recreancy in the context of Hurricane Beryl among residents of Houston, Texas. The primary objective is to determine how perceptions of recreancy influence decision-making in households and if ongoing institutional failures have changed the way people prepare for disasters in areas affected by Beryl. More broadly, the research explores whether and how preparedness behaviors evolve over time in response to perceived institutional action or inaction. The study employs a mixed-methods design using a self-administered online survey of individuals who experienced Hurricane Beryl in Houston (N = 540). Data analysis is ongoing, and the full paper is expected to be completed by June 2026.

Author

• Afsana Kona, Virginia Tech