Impact of direct experience on disaster preparedness and evacuation: A Protective Action Decision Model analysis in low-income New York City communities

The Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) is applied to investigate extreme weather preparedness and response behaviors among low-income communities in New York City, aiming to understand the psychological processes that precede individuals’ decision-making regarding evacuation. Our analysis, employing path analysis for two distinct groups (those affected and unaffected by Hurricane Ida), revealed critical insights into the psychological processes underpinning disaster preparedness and evacuation behaviors. We found that attributes such as self-efficacy and response efficacy play different roles in the decision-making process, indicating the need to treat these factors distinctly within the PADM framework. Notably, for individuals directly affected by Hurricane Ida, stakeholder perceptions were influential in determining their likelihood to follow future storm evacuation orders, but not in their general preparedness intentions. The findings underscore the nuanced impact of direct disaster experience on trust and reliance on external authorities. While personal experience with Hurricane Ida led to a more self-reliant approach in general preparedness, it did not diminish the trust in authorities for evacuation decisions. This study highlights the complex interplay of personal experiences and psychological processes in disaster preparedness and response, emphasizing the need for targeted strategies in risk communication and disaster management, especially for low-income urban populations.