Hurricane Katrina Evacuation Risk Communication Influences

Katrina Evacuation Influences i

Hurricane Katrina Evacuations Risk Communication Influences:
Inconsistent and Confusing Messages, Lack of Trust in Information Sources,
Selective Reporting by Media and Psychological and Social Factors

February 25, 2009
Risk Communications
EDMG612 B002 Win 09 Dr. Erich W. Randall

Katrina Evacuation Influences ii

Table of Contents

Introduction………………………………………..1
Risk Communication………………………………2
Inconsistent and Confusing Messages……………..3
Lack of Trust in Communication Sources…………4
Selective Reporting by Media……………………..6
Psychological and Social Factors………………….8
Conclusion………………………………………..11
Bibliography……………………………………...13

Katrina Evacuation Influences 1

Hurricane Katrina Evacuations Risk Communication Influences:
Inconsistent and Confusing Messages, Lack of Trust in Information Sources,
Selective Reporting by Media and Psychological and Social Factors

Hurricane Katrina hit the Southeast Gulf Coast of Louisiana on August 29, 2005 as a category 3 hurricane. It was the costliest and one of the top five deadliest storms in United States history. There were approximately 1,800 deaths and this number is disputed to be higher in some reports. Nearly all the deaths resulted because a large segment of the population in the city of New Orleans did not evacuate (Burton and Silver 2006). Why people stayed after being warned is the subject of many studies. There are numerous influences that played a role in the decision not to evacuate for these people. Some of the more prevalent ones are inconsistent, confusing or incomplete risk messages, lack of trust in information sources, selective reporting by the media, and psychological and social factors that affect how information is processed. The influences are all related to ineffective, poor risk communication in the