Snowed in? An analysis of social and transportation networks in the 2015 Boston Snowmageddon

Abstract

AbstractContinuous subzero temperatures and an unrelenting Polar vortex turned the 2014–2015 Boston winter into a compound disaster, causing deaths and roof collapses, shutting down businesses, and paralyzing transportation networks. Little is known about the circumstances, which enhanced community resilience and reduced impacts during this extended disaster. Using original surveys of more than 140 affected community members alongside demographic data from census and ESRI sources and GIS data on bus and rail networks, we investigate the factors that allowed vulnerable communities to overcome the crisis. Through mixed‐methods approaches, including GIS spatial analysis, multiple regression, average treatment effects, and propensity score matching, we illuminate the factors that helped urban residents mitigate the impact of the Boston snowstorms. Controlling for a number of potential confounding variables, including demographic and economic factors and transportation access, we find that bonding social ties served as a significant mitigating force during the crisis. These findings bring with them important public policy findings for residents, NGOs, and decision‐makers alike as we struggle to adapt to extreme weather events amidst increasing urbanization.