Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Environmental Sciences
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
This dissertation analyzed the migration consideration factors of residents from the Mississippi River Delta in southern Louisiana, which is under the influence of rising sea levels, subsiding land, and increasing flood risks. Using a telephone survey of 1,125 adult individuals in twenty-four parishes and one hundred and fifty-one zip codes, we gathered the demographic data and flood risk experiences and perceptions of each respondent. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, means comparisons, and logistic regression to determine the factors with the highest influence on migration consideration. Results show that 21.5 percent of respondents considered moving, and they were mostly renters, were mostly younger, had experienced flooding before, and were less satisfied with their current living conditions. Flood risk was found to be an important deciding factor, but it is not the most important one. Instead, economic opportunities have a greater effect on respondents’ desire to move or stay. The findings provide useful information and insights into the planning and management of a flood-prone region and whether managed retreat or other mitigation measures would be effective.
This data was combined with U.S. Census Bureau data to determine factors that have the highest correlation with actual population change from 2016 to 2021. Data was first analyzed at the parish level and then at the zip code level, each through three models (census data only, survey data only, and combined data). Results show that the percent of renters, the percent of people that flooded in 2005, and the importance of school and hospital proximity had the largest impacts at the parish level. Zip code results showed that the percent male population, population over 65 years, population over 25 without a high school diploma, the importance of economic opportunities, the consideration to move, had previously lived in Louisiana, and the feeling of being unsafe to flooding had the greatest impact.
The dissertation concludes with an analysis of seven case studies to understand the successes and barriers to migration or managed retreat. The results showed that the most important factor was to consider the needs and priorities of the community.
Date
12-10-2024
Recommended Citation
Correll, Rachel, "Migration Considerations of Individuals in the Lower Mississippi River Basin: Analyzing the decision factors, flood risk perceptions, and retreat success" (2024). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 6639.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/6639
Committee Chair
Lam, Nina