Organizational Communication and Decision Making for Hurricane Emergencies
Publication: Natural Hazards Review
Volume 8, Issue 3
Abstract
This paper reviews research and theory on the processes by which emergency relevant organizations communicate with each other and with the population at risk from hurricanes. The technology for hurricane forecast, warning, and protective action has made significant advances in the past 20 years, but there is a disturbing potential for hurricane strikes that could cause a large number of casualties in addition to the predictably large economic cost from property destruction. Consequently, social science research is needed to expand the existing knowledge base on the response of households, businesses, and special facilities to hurricane warnings. Available research suggests local officials need better information about evacuation time estimates, evacuation costs, and the potential loss of life in a late evacuation. They also need improved decision support systems that will facilitate the choice of appropriate protective actions when hurricanes threaten their jurisdictions.
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Acknowledgments
This paper, supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. NSFCMS0219155 and NSFSES0527699, is based on a presentation at the Hurricane Forecast Socioeconomic Workshop, held February 16–18, 2005 in Pomona, Calif. None of the conclusions in this paper necessarily reflect views other than those of the writers.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Natural Hazards Review
Volume 8 • Issue 3 • August 2007
Pages: 50 - 60
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 1, 2006
Accepted: Nov 29, 2006
Published online: Aug 1, 2007
Published in print: Aug 2007
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