Ethnicity, Income, and Disaster Preparedness in Deep South Texas: A Preliminary Analysis

The following study examines the influence of a series of demographic and socioeconomic factors on preparedness outcomes for a sample of Rio Grande Valley residents. Data were collected as part of the regional Pulse of the Valley Study, a general social survey of South Texas residents conducted by the Center for Survey Research (CSR) at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.  The purpose of the study is to better understand the effects of ethnicity and income on preparedness within a region of the United States that suffers from widespread poverty, limited infrastructure, and a proneness to Hurricanes and flooding. Taken together, results suggest that while income, age, and disaster experience are associated with preparedness, the relationship between preparedness and ethnicity remains complex. Based on the results, policymakers should consider policy initiatives that address both socioeconomic and non-socioeconomic issues that shape preparedness to disaster.