Title: Information seeking and evacuation decision making in hypothetical hurricane events in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Authors: Dean Kyne; William Donner; Arlett Sophia Lomelí

Addresses: Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 W University Dr., Edinburg 78539, USA ' Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 W University Dr., Edinburg 78539, USA ' Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 W University Dr., Edinburg 78539, USA

Abstract: This study analyses how information is accessed and gathered in hurricane and inland flooding prone areas. The analysis reviews different information seeking behaviours, sources of information, and the factors that influence evacuation decision-making in each hurricane category within the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Findings suggest information seeking frequency can increase the odds of making a decision to evacuate in the each hurricane category. Similarly, active information seeking behaviour is positively associated with the evacuation decision in the event of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes. Information sources from personal judgement show negative relationship with evacuation decisions in all except in Category 5. Information sources based on family/friend show positive association with evacuation decisions in Category 4 and 5. The findings highlight the importance of active information sources such as social media, frequent interactions with friends or family members, and active information seeking behaviours in Categories 4 and 5.

Keywords: information seeking behaviour; evacuation decision-making; hurricane; Rio Grande Valley.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2019.099206

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2019 Vol.15 No.1, pp.54 - 80

Received: 01 Aug 2017
Accepted: 27 Jun 2018
Published online: 23 Apr 2019 *

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