Hurricane preparedness in Galveston, Texas: The perspective of vulnerable citizens

The population least prepared and most affected by natural disasters are our senior citizens with medical, mental and physically handicapping conditions who live below the poverty level. The specific aim of this project was to enhance communication between citizens of Galveston, TX who have few material resources and city officials who are responsible for the health and safety of these citizens in the event of a natural disaster. Following a mandatory evacuation in the wake of Hurricane Rita, investigators from the University of Texas Medical Branch partnered with citizens to identify issues of concern and to develop an interview guide. Subsequently health professions students interviewed 330 citizens who are considered to be most vulnerable. The sample includes 55.5% female, 44.2% male, 34.5 % African American, 19.7% Hispanic or Chicano, 1.8% Asian, 39.4% Caucasian and 4.5% other. 87% of the subjects are 65 or older. Data was cross tabulated to represent relationships among self reports of what people say they would do and what they say they need in the days before an impending disaster. During a forum results of the interviews were interpreted by Galveston city officials and representatives from the community to develop understanding of relationships among level of personal preparedness, decision-making prior to an impending disaster, attitudes, feelings and beliefs about oneself as well as other people living on the island, and a person's current situation, such as number of people in the household, health status, money and access to their own transportation.