Hurricanes and Decision-Making: The Role of Emotion, Knowledge, and Past Experience

• In Event: Disaster Communication: Messages of Survival and Trauma

Abstract

Residents in coastal regions must make three types of decisions regarding hurricanes: planning, evacuation, and relocation. This study examined emotion, knowledge, and past experience as factors influencing those decisions with a telephone survey to coastal residents (n = 519). Results revealed that anxiety and a previous experience with evacuating predicted the most outcomes. Confidence in hurricane protection systems, knowledge of storms, and knowledge of state programs were also related to the decisions.

Authors

• Renee Edwards, Louisiana State University

• Andrea Miller, Louisiana State University

• Stephanie Houston Grey, Louisiana State University

• David P. Brown, Louisiana State University