Hurricane Response: Why many don’t go to evacuation centers – Reason #1
One Reason – try interpreting the flood area map
Each time we face a complex emergency here in New York, you can see improvements in pre-planning, coordination and response readiness. That’s a good thing.
Broadcast media are constantly reporting updates and directions. And New Yorkers are tuned in.
But for detailed information you’re referred to official sources:
I’m going to focus on the critical information that is widely distributed in the leading websites: NYC OEM, MTA , NYCDOHMH, and others.
You can be the judge of how easy to read and use these critical sources are:
OEM HURRICANE EVACUATION MAP
In 2007 we published the findings of a study we did using intercept interviews in Harlem, showing people the then current evacuation map GIS Maps to Communicate Emergency Preparedness: How Useable Are They for Inner City Residents? ( Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management)
The vast majority of residents (83%) who hadn’t completed High School ( nearly 50% of Harlem residents) could not use the map to determine if they lived in a Flood Area, nor could they find where the closest Evacuation Center was.
Any ideas on how to make it much easier for New Yorkers to find out if they’re in a flood zone?
Any ideas on improving on the current maps?