William R Donner PhD Associate Professor Department of Sociology and Anthropology University of TexasRio Grande Valley Flood Warnings Two Perspectives Risk as instinctual Threats immediately perceived as such and responded to accordingly ID: 587541
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Warning Response and Preparedness: Some Considerations for Flood Safety in the Rio Grande Valley
William R. Donner, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
University of Texas-Rio Grande ValleySlide2
Flood Warnings: Two Perspectives
Risk as “instinctual”
Threats immediately perceived as such and responded to accordingly
Warnings simple
: Immediate reaction, immediate safety.
Risk as social process
Individuals
define
risk, whether they are at risk, and how to best respond to risk
Warnings highly complex
: Reactions shaped by past experience, social obligations and expectations, learned skepticism, need for certainty, sense that threat is personal, and belief that action is necessary and possible. Slide3
Warning Response Model
Upon public release,
f
lood alerts, watches, and warnings set into motion a well-understood and distinct process of warning response (
Mileti 2000)ReceptionUnderstandingBelief
ConfirmationPersonalizationResource allocation and evaluation
Response
Can apply to a wide range of risks, from flood warnings to water quality alerts.Slide4
How Does/Should This Affect Policy?
Psychological, social, and cultural differences shape the dynamics and character of warning response process.
Do we try to alter the behavior of groups who do not follow the process in an “ideal” manner?
Or, accommodate different response processes through policy, partnerships, and stakeholder awareness?Slide5
Case Study Example: Milford, TN Tornado Outbreak
2007 tornado outbreak in Midwest U.S.
Context: Milford, TN
Large Hispanic population
Limited infrastructure, technologyHispanics made use of informal social networksLanguage barriersCultural normsFear of authoritiesSlide6
Policy Consequences
Apply same policy across different populations?
Modify existing policies to accommodate unique needs?
Emergency training for informal community leaders
Warnings communicated in foreign languageShelters located at informal, non-governmental institutionsSlide7
Questions?