Communication, information seeking, and evacuation plans for a disaster using Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response in the Gulf Coast counties of Alabama and Mississippi, 2011

Danielle Buttke, DVM, PhD, MPH; Sara Vagi, PhD; Tesfaye Bayleyegn, MD; Amy Schnall, MPH; Melissa Morrison, MPH; Mardi Allen, PhD; Amy Wolkin, MSPH

doi:10.5055/jem.2013.0139

Authors

Danielle Buttke, DVM, PhD, MPH
Sara Vagi, PhD
Tesfaye Bayleyegn, MD
Amy Schnall, MPH
Melissa Morrison, MPH
Mardi Allen, PhD
Amy Wolkin, MSPH

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2013.0139

Keywords:

CASPER, emergency preparedness, evacuation, disaster, pet ownership

Abstract

Objective: To determine communication, information seeking, and evacuation behaviors of coastal residents in a disaster-prone area.

Design: A two-stage, probability sampling design to select 210 households in each assessment area was used. Data were analyzed using a weighted cluster analysis to report projected households for each assessment area.

Setting: Public health services areas of coastal Alabama and Mississippi.

Participants: Eligible respondents were 18 years of age or older, had lived in the community for at least 30 days, and were residents of the selected household.

Main outcome measures: Evacuation propensity, primary communication forms, primary information forms, and special needs.

Results: Most coastal residents would evacuate if recommended by public health authorities. Fewer residents had landlines (45.9-58.8 percent) compared to residents using cellular or mobile phone service only (84.3-95.8 percent), and these residents were significantly older compared to non-landline owning residents. Most residents own pets (61.9-70.1 percent).

Conclusions: Our assessment suggests that the majority of Alabama and Mississippi coastal residents plan to evacuate during a disaster if recommended by public health authorities. However, public health authorities should strive to evaluate multiple forms of communication to disseminate disaster preparedness and response messages to reach all vulnerable residents, especially in situations where electric services might be compromised. Emergency preparedness personnel should also be prepared for a large pet population in the event of an evacuation.

Author Biographies

Danielle Buttke, DVM, PhD, MPH

National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chamblee, Georgia; Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Assigned to the Alabama State Department of Health, Atlanta, Georgia.

Sara Vagi, PhD

National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chamblee, Georgia

Tesfaye Bayleyegn, MD

National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chamblee, Georgia

Amy Schnall, MPH

National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chamblee, Georgia

Melissa Morrison, MPH

Career Epidemiology Field Officer (CEFO) Program, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Assigned to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia

Mardi Allen, PhD

Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Jackson, Mississippi

Amy Wolkin, MSPH

National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chamblee, Georgia

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