Examining social, physical, and environmental dimensions of tornado vulnerability in Texa

Laura Siebeneck, PhD

doi:10.5055/jem.2016.0280

Authors

Laura Siebeneck, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2016.0280

Keywords:

tornado, Texas, vulnerability, mitigation, Preparedness

Abstract

Objective: To develop a vulnerability model that captures the social, physical, and environmental dimensions of tornado vulnerability of Texas counties.

Design: Guided by previous research and methodologies proposed in the hazards and emergency management literature, a principle components analysis is used to create a tornado vulnerability index. Data were gathered from open source information available through the US Census Bureau, American Community Surveys, and the Texas Natural Resources Information System.

Setting: Texas counties.

Results: The results of the model yielded three indices that highlight geographic variability of social vulnerability, built environment vulnerability, and tornado hazard throughout Texas. Further analyses suggest that counties with the highest tornado vulnerability include those with high population densities and high tornado risk.

Conclusions: This article demonstrates one method for assessing statewide tornado vulnerability and presents how the results of this type of analysis can be applied by emergency managers towards the reduction of tornado vulnerability in their communities.

Author Biography

Laura Siebeneck, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

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