Abstract
This research examines the relationship between social vulnerability factors and reported needs following Hurricane Florence. Weighted least squares regression models were used to identify predictor variables for valid registrations that reported needs pertaining to emergencies, food, and shelter. Data consisted of zip codes in North Carolina and South Carolina that received individual assistance for Hurricane Florence (N = 406). The results suggest that when controlling for event-specific factors and flood mitigation factors, the proportions of the population that is female, the population over 65, the population aged 5 and under, the population older than 5 years not speaking English, and the minority population were all predictors of the per capita reported emergency needs. When controlling for the same variables, the proportions of the population over the age of 25 with a Bachelor’s degree, the female population, the population aged 5 and under, the population above 5 years old that does not speak English, and the minority population were all predictors of the per capita reported food needs. With the same variables controlled for, three variables—the proportions of the population over 65, the population aged 5 and under, and the non-English-speaking population above 5 years of age—were all predictors of the per capita reported shelter needs. The results suggest that more attention should be given to these vulnerable populations in the pre-disaster planning process.
Highlights
Disaster events are global occurrences, but the individual impacts are often influenced by vulnerability
Social vulnerability plays an important role in the outcomes of community and individual post-disaster needs
The magnitude of Hurricane Florence resulted in major disaster declarations for the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia (FEMA 2020a)
Summary
Disaster events are global occurrences, but the individual impacts are often influenced by vulnerability. Social inequalities refer to the social factors that influence susceptibility to harm and the ability to respond, while place inequalities are characteristics of communities and the built environment. 599), ‘‘resilience is the ability of a social system to respond and recover from disasters and includes those inherent conditions that allow the system to absorb impacts and cope with an event, as well as post-event, adaptive processes that facilitate the ability of the social system to re-organize, change, and learn in response to a threat.’’ Bergstrand et al (2015) found a correlation between high levels of vulnerability and low levels of resilience among U.S counties. Lightfoot et al (2020) frequently observed an ongoing, chronic anxiety regarding health and family among women in the post-disaster environment. They conclude that this may inhibit personal resilience and the ability to cope with future events
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