Don’t blame the victims

Thomas E. Drabek, PhD

doi:10.5055/jem.2005.0059

Authors

Thomas E. Drabek, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2005.0059

Keywords:

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Abstract

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Author Biography

Thomas E. Drabek, PhD

John Evans Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology and Criminology, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado.

References

For example, see Newsweek 2005, vol. 146, nos. 11 and 14, and vol. 142 no. 12.

As of early October 2005, Katrina-related deaths exceeded 1,079, and Rita topped 80 including 24 elderly persons killed in a bus accident. See MacLaggan C, Sanders J: Including accidents, Hurricane Rita’s death toll tops 80. Austin American-Statesman, September 29, 2005; and “Reported Katrina deaths, state by state.” Associated Press, September 4, 2005.

Gruntfest E: What people did during the Big Thompson flood (working paper 32). Boulder, CO: Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Colorado, 1977.

See Drabek TE: Human System Responses to Disaster. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1986; Sorensen JH: Hazard warning systems. TsuInfo Alert. 2001; 3 (1): 14-20; Lindell MK: Principles of effective warning systems. IAEM Bull. 2003; 20(2): 1,6,8; and Drabek TE: Social Dimensions of Disaster (2nd ed). Emmitsburg, MD: Emergency Management Institute, 2004.

See Drabek TE: Disaster Evacuation Behavior. Boulder, CO: Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, 1996: pp. 95, 102; and Heath SE: Epidemiologic features of pet evacuation failure in a rapid-onset disaster. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001; 218(12): 1898-1904.

See FEMA: Hurricane Pam exercise concludes. FEMA Press Release #R6-04-093, July 23, 2004; and Bourne JK: Gone with the water. National Geographic, October 2004. Available at http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature5. Accessed November 28, 2005.

Various studies have documented that about one-quarter of evacuees leave because they received an invitation from a relative or friend who offered shelter. See Drabek TE: Social processes in disaster: Family evacuation. Soc Probl. 1969; 16: 336-349; and Perry RW, Greene MR: Citizen Response to Volcanic Eruptions: The Case of Mount St. Helens. New York: Irvington Publishers, 1983, p. 94.

For example. see City of New Orleans Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan: Annex I—Hurricanes. Available at www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?portal=46&tabid=6. Accessed November 28, 2005; and State of Louisiana Emergency Operations Plan: Supplement 1A—Southeast Louisiana Hurricane Evacuation and Sheltering Plan. Baton Rouge, LA: Office of Emergency Preparedness, 2000. Available at www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/ plans/eopindex.htm. Accessed November 28, 2005.

Drabek TE: Strategies for Coordinating Disaster Responses. Boulder, CO: Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, 2003.