An Analysis of Risk Perception, Decision-Making, and Communication after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria

The 2017 Hurricane season brought massive destruction, displacement, and chaos to hundreds of thousands of people. Three of the costliest hurricanes in US history also occurred during last year’s hurricane season, namely, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. These storms led to billions of dollars in infrastructure and property damage, as well as hundreds of thousands of people impacted by displacement and loss of family members. Previous research on disaster responses has suggested logistical barriers that prevented people from being able to successfully evacuate during a hurricane, while other studies indicate evacuation is hindered by community ties and an underestimation of the risks associated with impending storms. There is a great need to understand individuals’ disaster response behaviors if we are to alleviate some of the adverse outcomes that occur when people do not engage in recommended self-protective actions. This research project examines: (a) individuals’ general risk perceptions of hurricanes; (b) how individuals’ risk perceptions have changed as a function of experiencing a previous disaster; and (c) individuals’ communication preferences during severe weather in general.