Northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States are understudied from the perspective of hurricane vulnerability. In an attempt to fill this gap in research, this dissertation attempted to assess the hurricane vulnerability of the northeastern and mid- Atlantic United States through the construction of a Composite Hurricane Vulnerability Index (CHVI) for 184 counties extending from Maine to Virginia. The CHVI was computed by incorporating indicators of human vulnerability and physical exposure. Human vulnerability was derived from demographic, social and economic characteristics whereas physical exposure was based on attributes of the natural and built up environments. The spatial distribution of the CHVI and its component indices were examined and analyzed to meet the research goals, which were a) to develop indices of human vulnerability, physical exposure and composite hurricane vulnerability for all counties; b) to assess vulnerability distribution in terms of population size, metropolitan status (metropolitan versus non metropolitan counties) and location (coastal versus inland counties); c) to identify the specific underlying causes of vulnerability; d) to identify the significant clusters and outliers of high vulnerability; and e) to examine overlaps between high human vulnerability and high physical exposure in the region. Results indicated high overall vulnerability for counties that were metropolitan and / or coastal. Vulnerability clusters and intersections pointed towards high vulnerability in the major cities along the northeastern megalopolis, in the Hampton Roads section of Virginia and in parts of Delmarva Peninsula. Evidence of relationship of population size, metropolitan status and location with vulnerability levels provides a new perspective to vulnerability assessment. / by Shivangi Prasad. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

Ce travail vise à rendre compte des relations créées entre les événements naturels de forte intensité et dont les conséquences destructrices les ont fait nommer catastrophes naturelles, en partant du fameux tremblement de terre de Lisbonne, en 1755 jusqu’au milieu du XIXe siècle, avec l’avènement des nouvelles techniques et sciences, ce qui a engendré un nouveau rapport entre l’homme et la Nature. Ce changement de la représentation de la catastrophe en littérature, mais aussi dans la peinture s’appuie sur des mutations culturelles dans le plan religieux, scientifique et esthétique, dont les traces évidentes nous avons essayé d’expliciter dans ce travail. L’enjeu de cette thèse est d’analyser les métamorphoses du discours écrit et visuel de la période mentionnée, et d’attirer l’attention sur le passage entre l’horreur suscitée par un événement catastrophique et la dimension sensorielle et la fascination provoquée par le spectacle des phénomènes naturels. Toutefois, nous avons recherché le symbolisme des motifs attachés aux grands mythes de l’humanité, tels le Déluge, le thème de transgression-punition-rédemption inscrit dans la catastrophe, qui se transforme dans un nouveau concept, un objet d’analyse, de réflexion et de contemplation, qui nous incite à voir différemment. / This research aims to report on the relationships created among natural events of high intensity which can be categorized as natural disasters due to their destructive consequences starting with the famous earthquake of Lisbon in 1755 until the mid-nineteenth century, the advent of new technology and science, which created a new relationship between man and nature. This change in catastrophe representation in literature but also in the painting is based on religious, scientific and aestethetic changes, the key elements that we explored in this work. The aim of this dissertation is to analyze the metamorphoses of writing and visual discourse of the above-mentioned period and draw attention to the transition from horror triggered by a catastrophic event to a sensory dimension and fascination caused by the spectacle of natural phenomena. We also examined the symbolism of the motifs attached to the great myths of humanity, such as the Flood, the theme of transgression-punishment-redemption part of the disaster, which generates into a new concept, an object of analysis, reflection and contemplation, which inspires us to see the catastrophic events differently.

A análise da morfologia é uma importante ferramenta para avaliação das características internas do sistema bacia hidrográfica. Os atributos morfológicos podem demonstrar um padrão de comportamento dos processos ocorridos em seu interior, sobretudo os processos hidrogeomorfológicos, como enxurradas e corridas de detritos. As corridas de detritos possuem características específicas, em sua maioria relacionadas aos canais de drenagem, portanto, sua análise morfológica é fundamental para o entendimento do processo. São importantes os estudos que visam compreender de forma mais aprofundada os condicionantes relacionados à ocorrência de corridas de detritos, devido tanto à magnitude quanto e, principalmente, ao seu poder destrutivo, e, sobretudo, devido a recorrência do processo. Conforme o exposto, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo central avaliar a suscetibilidade de bacias hidrográficas a partir da análise de parâmetros morfológicos e sua relação com a magnitude das corridas de detritos ocorridas em 1967 no município de Caraguatatuba/SP, visando a elaboração de um índice de potencial de magnitude e suscetibilidade com base nos resultados. Para alcançar tal objetivo, as seguintes etapas metodológicas foram definidas: i) seleção de bacias hidrográficas com evidência de ocorrência de corridas de detritos; ii) mapeamento dos parâmetros morfológicos; iii) caracterização morfológica dos depósitos e definição da magnitude das corridas de detritos de 1967; e iv) elaboração de índice de potencial de magnitude e suscetibilidade à ocorrência de corridas de detritos. Os resultados mostraram a influência dos parâmetros morfológicos na magnitude das corridas de detritos, com destaque para perfil longitudinal, hierarquia de drenagem e área da bacia acima de 25°. As bacias classificadas com nível de magnitude maior obtiveram os valores mais críticos com relação a estes parâmetros. A metodologia utilizada para determinação da magnitude se mostrou eficiente, ficando as consequências potenciais condizentes com a realidade. Com o estabelecimento da relação entre os valores críticos dos parâmetros e a maior magnitude, foi possível a elaboração de um índice de potencial de magnitude e suscetibilidade com base nos parâmetros morfológicos. Esta pesquisa contribui para os estudos referentes às corridas de detritos, sob uma perspectiva geomorfológica, agregando mais informações a respeito do processo e colaborando para o melhor entendimento de sua dinâmica na Serra do Mar. / The morphological analysis is an important tool in the evaluation of the inner characteristics of the hydrographic basin system. Its attributes demonstrate a pattern of behave of the processes occurred in the basin, especially hydrogeomorphic processes, such as flood and debris flow. Debris flow have specific characteristics, mostly related to the drainage channels, being primordial the study of the characteristics of the hydrographic basin. Studies which aim to better understand the conditioning factors related to the occurrence of debris flow are important due to the magnitude but also the recorrence of the process. As explained before, the main goal of this research was to evaluate susceptibility of hydrographic basins through morphological parameters and its relation with the magnitude of the debris flows occurred in Caraguatatuba, 1967, aiming to elaborate an index of potential of magnitude and susceptibility based in the results. To achieve this goal, the following methodological steps were defined: (i) selection of hydrographic basins with evidence of occurrence of debris flow; (ii) morphological parameters mapping; (iii) morphological characterization of the deposits and definition of the magnitude of debris flow; and (iv) elaboration of an index of potential of magnitude and susceptibility to de occurrence of debris flow. The results showed the influence of the morphological parameters in the magnitude of debris flows, highlighting the parameters longitudinal profile, drainage hierarchy and area above 25°. The basins classified with higher magnitude obtained the most critical values relation to those parameters. The methodology used to determine the magnitude proved to be efficient, with the potential consequences consistent with the reality. With the establishment of the relation between the critical values of the morphological parameters and the basins with higher magnitude, it was possible to elaborate an index of potential of magnitude and susceptibility. This research contributes to the studies related to debris flow from a geomorphological approach, adding more informations about the process and collaborating to better understand the debris flow dynamics in the Serra do Mar.

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Insurance is a prudent option to mitigate business risk and property loss caused by natural disasters. The current study took place in Accra, Ghana, and was prompted by the low adoption of insurance and limited understanding by home and small business owners of its risk mitigation value. The purpose of this multiple-case study was to explore information insurance companies' need to motivate investment in weather-related insurance. The interview questions of the study served to explore the reasons business owners and homeowners purchase or decline insurance, including their understanding of and receptivity to insurance. The theoretical underpinning of this study included the Butterfoss and Kegler's community coalition action theory and Freire's empowerment theory. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 17 insured and uninsured homeowners and business owners. Interview data were thematically analyzed using a process of constant comparison of transcripts. The important themes that emerged from the analysis included the lack of trust in insurance providers, a lack of availability of alternate coping mechanisms, consumers' limited understanding of insurance, and the lack of public education and awareness of disaster risks. The findings indicated that educational programs should promote the needs and benefits for insurance, the government should enforce insurance laws and regulations, and insurance organizations should improve insurance marketing practices to build trust. These findings may contribute to positive social change by creating awareness among Ghanaians about the benefits of insurance to mitigate the effects of natural disasters. Research findings may be useful to insurance business leaders seeking to increase revenue and profitability

People with disabilities are likely to experience difficulties overcoming the impact of natural disasters. Few scholars have focused on this population's ability to recover and handle stress following a natural disaster. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe coping strategies and resilience factors that people with physical or mental disabilities used in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Resilience theory was used as the theoretical framework. Through face-to-face interviews, 10 persons with disabilities shared their experiences of coping and resilience. A lens of interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to identify emergent themes related to persons with disabilities' experiences of overcoming challenges and sustaining wellbeing in the aftermath of this natural disaster. According to study results, religion, recreation, and relaxation techniques were the main coping strategies used, and self-determination and independent skills were resilience factors that helped persons with disabilities remain positive and overcome challenges following the hurricane. Participants reported experiencing emotional reactions and identified the dislocation as the greatest stressor. The findings of this study have the potential to effect positive social change by informing stakeholders such as policymakers, community, and state agencies, and related professionals to help them recognize and address the health and psychological needs of persons with disabilities following a hurricane. Knowing which coping strategies and resilience factors persons with disabilities use to create awareness of the positive ways in which persons with disabilities manage the aftermath of this natural disaster.

Le but de cette thèse est d'étudier par quatre essais l'économie de migration de pays en voie de développement. Le premier chapitre évalue l'effet des catastrophes naturelles (principalement en raison du changement climatique), dans les pays en voie de développement, sur des taux de migration et regarde comment cet effet varie selon le niveau d'enseignement des personnes. Nos résultats montrent que les catastrophes naturelles sont positivement associées aux taux d'émigration et impliquent aussi la migration des personnes fortement qualifiés. Le deuxième chapitre présente les différents canaux expliquant l'intention de migrer illégalement. Une des nouveautés de l'analyse est qu'elle utilise une enquête sur mesure parmi des individus sénégalais urbains. Nous constatons que les migrants illégaux potentiels sont enclins à accepter un risque substantiel de mort et sont souvent jeunes, célibataires et avec un niveau bas d'éducation. Nous montrons aussi que le prix de l'immigration illégale, les réseaux d'immigrés, de hautes espérances, des politiques d'immigration serrées et le pays de destination jouent tous un rôle dans l'empressement de migrer illégalement. Le troisième chapitre complète le deuxième en étudiant le rôle d'aversion des risques et le taux d'escompte dans la migration illégale du Sénégal. Nos résultats montrent que ces préférences individuelles comptent dans l'empressement de migrer illégalement et payer à un contrebandier. Finalement dans le quatrième chapitre, nous nous sommes intéressés à la place des migrants sur les marchés de crédit dans un contexte rural. Selon nos résultats, avoir un migrant dans un ménage augmente autant la probabilité d'avoir un prêt que sa taille, que le prêt soit formel ou informel. Nous constatons aussi que cet effet positif reste significatif peu importe si le prêt est pris pour des raisons professionnelles ou simplement pour acheter de la nourriture. / The aim of this thesis is to study through four essays the economics of migration from developing countries. The first chapter assesses the effect of natural disasters (mainly due to climate change), in developing countries, on migration rates and looks at how this effect varies according to the level of education of people. Our results show that natural disasters are positively associated with emigration rates and also involve the migration of highly skilled people. The second chapter presents the different channels explaining the intention to migrate illegally. One of the novelties of the analysis is that it uses a tailor-Made survey among urban Senegalese individuals. We find that potential illegal migrants are willing to accept a substantial risk of death and tend to be young, single and with a low level of education. We also show that the price of illegal migration, migrant networks, high expectations, tight immigration policies and the preferred destination country all play a role in the willingness to migrate illegally. The third chapter completes the second one by studying the role of risk-Aversion and discount rate in illegal migration from Senegal. Our results show that these individual preferences matter in the willingness to migrate illegally and to pay a smuggler. Finally in the fourth chapter, we are interested in the effect of migrants on credit markets in a rural Senegalese context. According to our results, having a migrant in a household increases both the likelihood of having a loan and its size, whether the loan is formal or informal. We also find that this positive effect remains significant no matter if the loan is taken for professional activities or simply to buy food.

Natural Hazards are a potential risk to Benton County small businesses. However, little has been done to help prepare, respond, recover or resume business following a significant disastrous event. 93 small businesses in Benton County responded to a mailed survey, and 10 additional small businesses participated in both mailed surveys and interviews. Information collected from the surveys and interviews were used to assess current disaster preparedness of Benton County small businesses, gauge business owner knowledge about risk reduction tools and techniques, and to better understand small business needs in reducing risk and loss from natural hazards. Overall, businesses were concerned about the potential impacts of natural disasters, but few have taken steps to mitigate these hazards. Trends were identified in interview responses that add valuable information about why businesses have not taken appropriate steps to mitigate hazards. Most small business owners/managers are more concerned about day-to-day activities than they are about planning for natural disasters. Businesses that practiced environmental stewardship and other sustainable business practices tended to be more interested in protecting their business and in training management and employees to prepare, respond, recover, and resume business. Overall, business owners weren't sure how to protect their business from large-scale hazards. The cost versus benefit of emergency and disaster preparedness was of concern for many business owners. Lastly, businesses that provided nonessential services, such as screen-printing for clothing or a furniture store were less prepared for an emergency or disaster event than those who provided a more essential service. / Graduation date: 2004

The recent emergencies on college campuses including the Virginia Tech massacre of April, 2007, the Northern Illinois University shootings and the Union University tornado highlight the importance of disaster preparedness within the university community. This study is a survey exploring the daily rhythms of student life, the communication channels open to students and students composition and characteristics. This survey finds that students have frequent access to communication technologies which can be utilized as warning channels. The study also concludes that many students do not actively seek out information relative to emergency preparedness and the gaps in the populations knowledge require increased disaster education by the university.

Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005 and drastically altered the city of New Orleans causing the most damage to minority and low socioeconomic status communities such as the Lower Ninth Ward. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, African American women in the New Orleans constituted the group most marginalized in society. Following Hurricane Katrina, several studies have explored Hurricane Katrina and disaster recovery in New Orleans. However, few studies have explored gender as it relates to natural disasters and recovery. Therefore, this study explores the experiences of African American women with disaster recovery in the Lower Ninth Ward.