Hurricane evacuation beliefs and behaviour of inland vs. coastal populations

Although hurricanes can cause severe hazard effects well inland, little is known about the evacuation behaviour of inland populations compared to coastal populations. Using survey data collected in the United States after Hurricanes Florence (2018), Michael (2018), Barry (2019), and Dorian (2019), we investigate differences between coastal and inland populations in evacuation decisions and timing, and their causes. The data indicate that coastal populations evacuated at a higher rate than their inland counterparts (those not in coastal counties) in every hurricane studied. Chi-square tests identified differences in characteristics of coastal and inland populations, and a multiple logistic regression identified variables associated with evacuation. Together they suggest multiple factors that help explain the difference in evacuation rates. The most significant findings were related to geographic differences in the issuance of evacuation orders and reported receiving of orders (whether or not orders were actually issued). Most interestingly, the analysis indicates that variance between inland and coastal evacuation is not fully explained by the factors suggested in existing literature. We suggest here that differences between inland and coastal evacuation may also result from risk perception, in particular, a view that hurricanes are a coastal phenomenon and therefore do not apply to inland populations.

Automated summary

The study found that coastal populations are more likely to evacuate during hurricanes compared to inland populations. The difference in evacuation rates cannot be fully explained by geographic factors and receipt of evacuation orders. Risk perception may also contribute to the difference in evacuation behavior between inland and coastal populations.