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Pre/Post Hurricane Surveys: Measuring Hurricane Preparation and Post Storm Impacts Using Geofencing Methods
Thomas Brassell
ICF
James Dayton
ICF
Rachel Kinder
ICF
Surveying recent hurricane victims is a difficulty prospect, let alone survey potential victims. This paper reports on a novel technology that can track the location of consenting non-probability panel participants before, during and after the storm event. Combining an anticipated storm path with panel member residence and geo-location information can provide a useful sampling frame for potential and actual victims. Prior to Hurricane Florence, ICF fielded a pre-storm survey with nearly 2,200 respondents along the expected storm path before the hurricane's scheduled landfall. The pre-storm questionnaire asked about storm preparation, evacuation plans, previous hurricane experiences, and current health and psychological stress. The post-storm survey included the same measures, as well as questions about the impact of Hurricanes Florence and Michael. The results were analyzed to provide data on the pr-e and post- storm preparations, the extent and nature of damage, estimated cost of damage, evacuation information along with health and psychological effects. These findings have major implications for the methodology of disaster-related surveys.