Effectiveness of regional risk mitigation policies in equitably improving connectivity to essential service during hurricane-induced floods
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2024
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of regional disaster mitigation policies in providing equitable access to essential services during hurricane-induced floods in Southeast Louisiana. Studies have been conducted on access to essential service facilities during and after disasters. However, there is limited research on whether current regional disaster mitigation plans ensure equitable access to emergency facilities. To this end, a methodology was developed to assess the effect of the 2017 Louisiana Coastal Master Plan developed by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Agency (CPRA) on equity in connectivity to essential service facilities (hospitals and fire stations) in a case study region in southeastern Louisiana. First, a graph-based model was used to represent the road network and determine the connectivity of five demographic groups during hurricane-induced flood scenarios. Herein, a hurricane-induced flood scenario with a low return period (50 years) was chosen for future years up to 2065, considering sea level rise and subsidence. Roads with flood depths exceeding 30 cm were considered impassable and were removed from the network. Connectivity was then determined using breadth-first search. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to propagate uncertainties in flood depths. It was found that minority groups were at a higher risk of losing access to emergency services during the selected hazard scenario. Native American and Asian populations were found to be at the highest risk of disconnection, followed by the Hispanic and African-American populations. Overall, the coastal master plan did not affect the equity (or lack thereof) in connectivity to essential service facilities.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
Recommended Citation
Mashrur, N., & Kameshwar, S. (2024). Effectiveness of regional risk mitigation policies in equitably improving connectivity to essential service during hurricane-induced floods. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 112 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104775