Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T14:47:49.388Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Which Household Emergency Plans are More Helpful in Tornadoes? Through the Lens of Gerontology

Part of: Tornadoes collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 September 2020

Zhen Cong Open the ORCID record for Zhen Cong [Opens in a new window] ,
Daan Liang  and
Jianjun Luo
Zhen Cong*
Affiliation:
School of Social Work, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas
Daan Liang
Affiliation:
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Jianjun Luo
Affiliation:
Air Worldwide, Boston, Massachusetts
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Zhen Cong, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, 211 S Cooper St, Arlington, TX76019 (e-mail: zhen.cong@uta.edu).
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

This study investigated how the effectiveness of household emergency plans during tornadoes was associated with family discussions, and the attributes of the plan for different age groups.

Methods:

A telephone survey was conducted in 2014, one year after two 2013 Enhanced Fujita 4/5 tornadoes. The working sample included 223 respondents who reported having a household emergency plan before the tornadoes. The latent class analysis was used to identify the patterns of the plans and develop a typology based on their content. Logistic regression was used to examine predictors for plan effectiveness.

Results:

Two classes of plans were identified: quality plans that were rich in content and limited plans that had lower levels of content richness. Older adults were less likely to have quality plans and less likely to have family discussions. Quality of the plan and discussions with family members increased plan effectiveness among older adults, but not younger adults.

Conclusions:

Better emergency planning could be more important for older than for younger adults. The findings were discussed from a gerontological perspective that focuses on older adults’ unique needs, vulnerabilities, and resilience factors.

Keywords

tornadoesemergency plansolder adultsdisaster preparedness
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 16 , Issue 1 , February 2022 , pp. 139 - 146
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Levac, J, Toal-Sullivan, D, OSullivan, TL. Household emergency preparedness: A literature review. J Community health. 2012;37(3):725–733.10.1007/s10900-011-9488-xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ekenga, CC, Ziyu, L. Gender and public health emergency preparedness among United States adults. J Community health. 2019;44(4):656–660.10.1007/s10900-019-00638-5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Perry, RW, Lindell, MK, Tierney, KJ. Facing the unexpected: Disaster preparedness and response in the United States. Washington, DC: Joseph Henry Press; 2001.Google Scholar
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Preparedness in America: 2014. https://www.fema.gov/media-librarydata/14090008880261e8abc820153a6c8cde24ce42c16e857/20140825_Preparedness_in_America_August_2014_Update_508.pdf. Accessed August 1, 2019.Google Scholar
Simmons, KM, Sutter, D. Economic and societal impacts of tornadoes. Boston, MA: The American Meteorological Society; 2011.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hoekstra, S, Klockow, K, Riley, R, Brotzge, J, Brooks, H, Erickson, S. A preliminary look at the social perspective of warn-on-forecast: Preferred tornado warning lead time and the general public’s perceptions of weather risks. Wea Climate Soc. 2011;3(2):128–140.10.1175/2011WCAS1076.1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). National Household Survey 2016. 2017; https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1518789034181-3e491ce5f5e659f136660d0ad747cc8a/2016_National_Household_Survey_121817.v21_508v2.pdf. Accessed August 1, 2019.Google Scholar
Dutwin, D, Lavrakas, P. Trends in telephone outcomes, 2008-2015. Survey Practice. 2016;9(3):1–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chie, WJ, Okumura, J, Tai-Yuan, C, Wakai, S. Social support and depressive symptoms among displaced older adults following the 1999 Taiwan earthquake. J. Trauma. Stress. 2004;17(1):63–67.Google Scholar
Legates, DR, Biddle, MD. Warning response and risk behavior in the Oak Grove–Birmingham, Alabama, tornado of 08 April 1998. Boulder, CO: Natural Hazards Center; 1999.Google Scholar
Deng, Q, Lv, Y, Xue, C, Kang, P, Dong, J, Zhang, L. Pattern and spectrum of tornado injury and its geographical information system distribution in Yancheng, China: A cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2018;8(6):e021552.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dostal, P. Vulnerability of urban homebound older adults in disasters: A survey of evacuation preparedness. Disaster Med Public. 2015;9(3):301–306.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Heller, K, Alexander, DB, Gatz, M, Knight, BG, Rose, T. Social and personal factors as predictors of earthquake preparation: The role of support provision, network discussion, negative affect, age, and education. J. Appl. Psychol. 2005;35(2):399–422.Google Scholar
Adams, V, Kaufman, SR, Van Hattum, T, Moody, S. Aging disaster: Mortality, vulnerability, and long-term recovery among Katrina survivors. Med. Anthropol Q. 2011;30(3):247–270.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Baltes, P, Baltes, M. Psychological perspectives on successful aging. In: Baltes, PB, Baltes, MM, eds. Successful aging: Perspectives from the behavioral sciences. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press; 1991.Google Scholar
Riediger, M, Li, SC, Lindenberger, U. Selection, optimization, and compensation as developmental mechanisms of adaptive resource allocation: Review and preview. In: Birren, JE, Schaie, KW, eds. Handbook of the psychology of aging. Vol 6. 6th ed. Boston: Academic Press; 2006:289–313.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Weigl, M, Mueller, A, Hornung, S, Zacher, H, Angerer, P. The moderating effects of job control and selection, optimization, and compensation strategies on the age–work ability relationship. J Organ Behav. 2013;34(5):607–628.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bourque, LB, Siegel, JM, Kano, M, Wood, MM. Morbidity and mortality associated with disasters. In: Rodríguez, H, Quarantelli, EL, Dynes, RR, eds. Handbook of Disaster Research. New York, NY: Springer; 2007:97–112.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McDonald, JR, Mehta, KC, Smith, DA, Womble, JA. The Enhanced Fujita Scale: development and implementation. In: Forensic Engineering 2009: Pathology of the Built Environment. Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers; 2010:719–728.Google Scholar
National Weather Service (NWS). Service assessment-the historic tornadoes of April 2011: 2011. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/historic_tornadoes.pdf. Accessed Dec 20, 2016.Google Scholar
National Weather Service (NWS). NWS central region service assessment Joplin, Missouri, Tornado - May 22, 2011: 2011. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/Joplin_tornado.pdf. Accessed May 1, 2013.Google Scholar
Norris, FH, Friedman, MJ, Watson, PJ. 60,000 disaster victims speak: Part II. Summary and implications of the disaster mental health literature. Psychiatry. 2002;65(3):240–260.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Creating your Family Emergency Communication Plan. 2018. https://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/assets/documents/133447. Accessed April 26, 2019.Google Scholar
McNeill, IM, Ronan, KR. Children in disasters: The role of household preparedness. Nat Hazards. 2017;89(3):1239–1254.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cong, Z, Liang, D, Luo, J. Family emergency preparedness plans in severe tornadoes. Am J Prev Med. 2014;46(1):89–93.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Department of Homeland Security. Make a plan. 2019. https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan. Accessed August 1, 2019.Google Scholar
American Red Cross. Disaster Preparedness Plan. 2019. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html. Accessed May 1, 2020.Google Scholar
FEMA. How to prepare for a tornado. 2014. https://archive.defense.gov/home/features/2014/0914_national-preparedness/PrepareAthon/How_To_Prepare_Tornado.pdf. Accessed May 1, 2020.Google Scholar
Norris, FH, Smith, T, Kaniasty, K. Revisiting the experience–behavior hypothesis: The effects of Hurricane Hugo on hazard preparedness and other self-protective acts. Basic Appl Soc Psych. 1999;21(1):37–47.Google Scholar
McNeill, IM, Dunlop, PD, Heath, JB, Skinner, TC, Morrison, DL. Expecting the unexpected: Predicting physiological and psychological wildfire preparedness from perceived risk, responsibility, and obstacles. Risk Analysis. 2013;33(10):1829–1843.Google ScholarPubMed
Tam, G, Huang, Z, Chan, E. Household preparedness and preferred communication channels in public health emergencies: a cross-sectional survey of residents in an Asian developed urban city. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(8):1598.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mertens, K, Jacobs, L, Maes, J, Poesen, J, Kervyn, M, Vranken, L. Disaster risk reduction among households exposed to landslide hazard: A crucial role for self-efficacy? Land Use Policy. 2018;75:77–91.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Paek, H-J, Hilyard, K, Freimuth, V, Barge, JK, Mindlin, M. Theory-based approaches to understanding public emergency preparedness: implications for effective health and risk communication. J Health Commun. 2010;15(4):428–444.10.1080/10810731003753083CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). National Household Survey 2015. https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1467116407881-096f834e638f02fa8499941ce5c155bb/national_household_survey_2015_508_062716_508.pdf. Accessed August 1, 2019.Google Scholar
American Red Cross. Disaster preparedness plan: 2019. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html. Accessed June 1, 2019.Google Scholar
Enarson, E. Women and housing issues in two US disasters: Case studies from Hurricane Andrew and the Red River Valley flood. IJMED. 1999;17(1):39–63.Google Scholar
Sharkey, P. Survival and death in New Orleans: An empirical look at the human impact of Katrina. J Black Stud. 2007;37(4):482–501.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Blaikie, P, Cannon, T, Davis, I, Wisner, B. At risk: Natural hazards, people’s vulnerability and disasters. New York, NY: Routledge; 2004.Google Scholar
Bolin, B. Race, Class, Ethnicity and, Disaster Vulnerability. In: Rodríguez, H, Quarantelli, EL, Dynes, RR, eds. Handbook of Disaster Research. New York, NY: Springer; 2007:113–129.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tobin-Gurley, J, Peek, L, Loomis, J. Displaced single mothers in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: Resource needs and resource acquisition. IJMED. 2010;28(2):170–206.Google Scholar
Ngo, EB. When disasters and age collide: Reviewing vulnerability of the elderly. Nat Hazards Rev. 2001;2(2):80–89.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cherry, KE, Allen, PD, Galea, S. Older adults and natural disasters. In: Dass-Brailsford, P, ed. Crisis and disaster counseling: Lessons learned from hurricane Katrina and other disasters. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publication; 2009:115–130.Google Scholar
Henderson, TL, Roberto, KA, Kamo, Y. Older adults’ responses to Hurricane Katrina daily hassles and coping strategies. J Appl Gerontol. 2010;29(1):48–69.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sanders, S, Bowie, SL, Bowie, YD. Chapter 2 Lessons Learned on Forced Relocation of Older Adults: The Impact of Hurricane Andrew on Health, Mental Health, and Social Support of Public Housing Residents. J Gerontol Soc Work. 2004;40(4):23–35.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
U.S. Census Bureau. Explore Census Data: 2020. https://data.census.gov/cedsci/. Accessed April 28, 2020.Google Scholar
American Association for Public Opinion Research. Standard definitions: Final dispositions of case codes and outcome rates for surveys. 2015. https://www.aapor.org/AAPOR_Main/media/MainSiteFiles/Standard-Definitions2015_8thEd.pdf. Accessed May 1, 2017.Google Scholar
Little, TD, Rhemtulla, M. Planned missing data designs for developmental researchers. Child Dev Perspect. 2013;7(4):199–204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hagenaars, JA, McCulcheon, AL. Applied Latent Class Analysis. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2002.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Gaalen, RI, Dykstra, PA. Solidarity and Conflict between Adult Children and Parents: A Latent Class Analysis. J Marriage Fam. 2006;68(4):947–960.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McLaughlin, AC, Mayhorn, CB. Designing effective risk communications for older adults. Safety Science. 2014;61:59–65.10.1016/j.ssci.2012.05.002CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pew Research Center. What low response rates mean for telephone surveys. 2017. https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2017/05/12154630/RDD-Non-response-Full-Report.pdf. Accessed April 27, 2020.Google Scholar
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Storm Events Database. 2020. https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/. Accessed May 1, 2020.Google Scholar