Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T08:10:47.508Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Hurricane Sandy Evacuation Among World Trade Center Health Registry Enrollees in New York City

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2016

Shakara Brown ,
Lisa M. Gargano ,
Hilary Parton ,
Kimberly Caramanica ,
Mark R. Farfel ,
Steven D. Stellman  and
Robert M. Brackbill
Shakara Brown*
Affiliation:
Bureau of Epidemiology Services, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
Lisa M. Gargano
Affiliation:
World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
Hilary Parton
Affiliation:
Bureau of Communicable Disease, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
Kimberly Caramanica
Affiliation:
World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
Mark R. Farfel
Affiliation:
World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
Steven D. Stellman
Affiliation:
World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York.
Robert M. Brackbill
Affiliation:
World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Shakara Brown, MPH, Project Officer/Data Analyst, Bureau of HIV – Field Services Unit, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 42-09 28th St, Long Island City, NY, 11101. (e-mail: [email protected]).
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective

Timely evacuation is vital for reducing adverse outcomes during disasters. This study examined factors associated with evacuation and evacuation timing during Hurricane Sandy among World Trade Center Health Registry (Registry) enrollees.

Methods

The study sample included 1162 adults who resided in New York City’s evacuation zone A during Hurricane Sandy who completed the Registry’s Hurricane Sandy substudy in 2013. Factors assessed included zone awareness, prior evacuation experience, community cohesion, emergency preparedness, and poor physical health. Prevalence estimates and multiple logistic regression models of evacuation at any time and evacuation before Hurricane Sandy were created.

Results

Among respondents who evacuated for Hurricane Sandy (51%), 24% had evacuated before the storm. In adjusted analyses, those more likely to evacuate knew they resided in an evacuation zone, had evacuated during Hurricane Irene, or reported pre-Sandy community cohesion. Evacuation was less likely among those who reported being prepared for an emergency. For evacuation timing, evacuation before Hurricane Sandy was less likely among those with pets and those who reported 14 or more poor physical health days.

Conclusions

Higher evacuation rates were observed for respondents seemingly more informed and who lived in neighborhoods with greater social capital. Improved disaster messaging that amplifies these factors may increase adherence with evacuation warnings. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:411–419)

Keywords

disastersemergency preparednesscommunity support9/11zone awareness
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 10 , Special Issue 3: Superstorm Sandy , June 2016 , pp. 411 - 419
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy: Stronger Communities, a Resilient Region. Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force. Department of Housing and Urban Development website. http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=hsrebuildingstrategy.pdf. Accessed February, 2015.Google Scholar
2. Gibbs, L, Holloway, C. Hurricane Sandy after Action Report: Report and Recommendations to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. City of New York website. http://www.nyc.gov/html/recovery/downloads/pdf/sandy_aar_5.2.13.pdf. Accessed Februay, 2014.Google Scholar
3. Subaiya, S, Moussavi, C, Velasquez, A, et al. A rapid needs assessment of the Rockaway Peninsula in New York City after Hurricane Sandy and the relationship of socioeconomic status to recovery. Am J Public Health. 2014;104(4):632-638. http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301668.Google Scholar
4. Know Your Zone. New York City Office of Emergency Management website. http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/get_prepared/know_your_zone/knowyourzone.html. Accesed February 17, 2015.Google Scholar
5. Brown, S, Parton, H. Evacuation in New York City during Hurricanes Irene and Sandy. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Epi Data Briefs and Data Tables website. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/data/epidata.shtml. Published November 2014. Accessed January 8th, 2015.Google Scholar
6. Brackbill, RM, Maliniak, M, Stellman, SD, et al. Non-fatal injuries 1 week after Hurricane Sandy - New York City Metropolitan Area, October 29, 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2014;63(42):950-954.Google Scholar
7. Deaths associated with Hurricane Sandy - October - November 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2013;62(20):393-397.Google Scholar
8. Storm-Related Mortality --- Central Texas. October 17-31, 1998. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2000;49(07):133-135.Google Scholar
9. Faul, M, Weller, NF, Jones, JA. Injuries after Hurricane Katrina among Gulf Coast Evacuees sheltered in Houston, Texas. J Emerg Nurs. 2011;37(5):460-468. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2010.12.019.Google Scholar
10. Eisenman, DP, Cordasco, KM, Asch, S, et al. Disaster planning and risk communication with vulnerable communities: lessons from Hurricane Katrina. Am J Public Health. 2007;97(suppl 1):S109-S115. http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2005.084335.Google Scholar
11. Brodie, M, Weltzien, E, Altman, D, et al. Experiences of Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Houston shelters: implications for future planning. Am J Public Health. 2006;96(8):1402-1408. http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2005.084475.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12. Elder, K, Xirasagar, S, Miller, N, et al. African Americans’ decisions not to evacuate New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina: a qualitative study [published erratum appears in Am J Public Health. 2007;97(12):2122]. Am J Public Health. 2007;97(suppl 1):S124-S129.Google Scholar
13. Heath, SE, Kass, PH, Beck, AM, et al. Human and pet-related risk factors for household evacuation failure during a natural disaster. Am J Epidemiol. 2001;153(7):659-665. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aje/153.7.659.Google Scholar
14. Bateman, JM, Edwards, B. Gender and evacuation: a closer look at why women are more likely to evacuate for hurricanes. Nat Hazards Rev. 2002;3(3):107-117. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1527-6988(2002)3:3(107).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15. Perry, RW. Evacuation Decision-Making in Natural Disasters. Mass Emergencies. 1979;4:25-38.Google Scholar
16. Gershon, RRM, Qureshi, KA, Rubin, MS, et al. Factors associated with high-rise evacuation: qualitative results from the World Trade Center Evacuation Study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2007;22(3):165-173. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X0000460X.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17. Gershon, RRM, Magda, LA, Riley, HEM, et al. The World Trade Center evacuation study: factors associated with initiation and length of time for evacuation. Fire Mater. 2012;36(5-6):481-500. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/fam.1080.Google Scholar
18. Van Willigen, M, Edwards, T, Edwards, B, et al. Riding out the storm: experiences of the physically disabled during Hurricane Bonnie, Dennis, and Floyd. Nat Hazards Rev. 2002;3(3):98-106. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1527-6988(2002)3:3(98).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19. Dash, N, Gladwin, H. Evacuation decision making and behavioral responses: individual and household. Nat Hazards Rev. 2007;8(3):69-77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1527-6988(2007)8:3(69).Google Scholar
20. Stewart, AE. Perceptions of Hurricane Destructiveness and Self-Reported Likelihood of Evacuation. Quick Response Research Report 209. University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center website. http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/research/qr/. Published November 2008. Accessed February 17, 2015.Google Scholar
21. Dow, K, Cutter, SL. Crying wolf: repeat responses to hurricane evacuation orders. Coast Manage. 1998;26(4):237-252. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08920759809362356.Google Scholar
22. Farfel, M, DiGrande, L, Brackbill, R, et al. An overview of 9/11 experiences and respiratory and mental health conditions among World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees. J Urban Health. 2008;85(6):880-909. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11524-008-9317-4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23. Brackbill, RM, Hadler, JL, DiGrande, L, et al. Asthma and posttraumatic stress symptoms 5 to 6 years following exposure to the World Trade Center terrorist attack. JAMA. 2009;302(5):502-516. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.1121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24. Ablah, E, Konda, K, Kelley, CL. Factors predicting individual emergency preparedness: a multi-state analysis of 2006 BRFSS data. Biosecur Bioterror. 2009;7(3):317-330. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/bsp.2009.0022.Google Scholar
25. Gargano, L, Caramanica, K, Sisco, S, et al. Exposure to the World Trade Center disaster and 9/11-related post-traumatic stress disorder and household disaster preparedness. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2015;9(6):625-633.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
26. Strine, TW, Neff, LJ, Crawford, S. Health-related quality of life domains and household preparedness for public health emergencies: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance system, 2006-2010. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2013;7(2):191-200. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2013.23.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
27. Zahran, H, Kobau, R, Moriarty, D, et al. Health-related quality of life surveillance — United States, 1993–2002. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2005;54(SS-4).Google Scholar
28. Caramanica, K, Brackbill, R, Stellman, S, et al. Posttraumatic stress disorder after Hurricane Sandy among persons exposed to the 9/11 disaster. Int J Emerg Ment Health. 2015;17(1):356-362.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
29. Perrin, M, DiGrande, L, Wheeler, K, et al. Differences in PTSD prevalence and associated risk factors among World Trade Center disaster rescue and recovery workers. Am J Psychiatry. 2007;164(9):1385-1394. http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2007.06101645.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
30. Ghuman, SJ, Brackbill, RM, Stellman, SD, et al. Unmet mental health care need 10–11 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks: 2011–2012 results from the World Trade Center Health Registry. BMC Public Health. 2014;14(491).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
31. Palgi, Y, Shrira, A, Hamama-Raz, Y, et al. Not so close but still extremely loud: recollection of the World Trade Center terror attack and previous hurricanes moderates the association between exposure to Hurricane Sandy and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Compr Psychiatry. 2014;55(4):807-812. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.01.013.Google Scholar
32. Preliminary results from the World Trade Center Evacuation Study - New York City. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2004;53(35):815-817.Google Scholar
33. Heath, SE, Champion, M. Human health concerns from pet ownership after a tornado. Prehosp Disaster Med. 1996;11(1):67-70.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
34. Hunt, MG, Bogue, K, Rohrbaugh, N. Pet ownership and evacuation prior to Hurricane Irene. Animals (Basel). 2012;2(4):529-539. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani2040529.Google Scholar
35. Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006. Library of Congress website. https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/3858?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22Pets+evacuation+and+transportation+standards+act%22%5D%7D. Accessed March 9, 2015.Google Scholar
36. Ready New York: Plan for Hazards. Coastal Storms and Hurricanes - Hurricane Evacuation page. New York City Emergency Management website. http://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/hurricane-evacuation.page. Accessed April 12, 2016.Google Scholar
37. Public Health Emergency Network. New York City Department of Health website. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/em/individuals_families.shtml. Accessessed August, 18, 2015.Google Scholar
38. Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID), et al. v. Mayor Bloomberg, et al. Disability Rights Advocates website. http://dralegal.org/case/brooklyn-center-for-independence-of-the-disabled-bcid-et-al-v-mayor-bloomberg-et-al/. Accessed March 31, 2016.Google Scholar
39. Shorris, A, Tarlow, M. Mayor’s Management Report: Preliminary Fiscal 2014, City of New York. New York City Mayor’s Office of Operations website. http://www.nyc.gov/html/ops/downloads/pdf/pmmr2014/2014_pmmr.pdf. Published February 2014. Accessed August 18, 2015.Google Scholar