Vulnerability of four North Carolina coastal counties to a hurricane strike / by Derek Paul Hanak.
| Author/creator | Hanak, Derek Paul author. |
| Other author | Gares, Paul A., degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Geography. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 2002. |
| Description | 118 pages, 7 unnumbered leaves : illustrations, maps ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | The purpose of this study is to develop a method for quantifying vulnerability that incorporates both physical characteristics of hurricanes and the social characteristics of the population being affected. This method is used to assess the spatial characteristics of vulnerability to hurricanes in four North Carolina counties: Brunswick, Carteret, Dare, and New Hanover. North Carolina is an appropriate location for this study because it has a high frequency of hurricane strikes and the population in its coastal counties has grown significantly in the last two decades. The reason behind this study is the frequency at which North Carolina is struck by hurricanes and the growing coastal population. Physical and social data are collected at the blockgroup level to provide as much detail of spatial variation as possible within the four counties. The physical factors included are wind speed, flooding, frequency, and destructive force of wind. The social factors include a wide range of socio-economic characteristics as well as, hotel and evacuation data. Physical, social, and total vulnerability scores are calculated for the four counties. The blockgroups with the highest total vulnerability scores are located where both physical and social vulnerability intersect. Results also indicate that physical vulnerability seems to be a more important factor than some research has suggested. Dare County is found to be the most vulnerable county in the study because of its high physical and social vulnerability. Identifying these areas can allow emergency managers to improve planning for the most vulnerable populations when a hurricane approaches. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of Geography. |
| General note | Advisor: Paul Gares |
| Dissertation note | M.A. East Carolina University 2002 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-125). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | University Archives | ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK | ✔ Available | Request Material |
| Electronic Resources | Access Content Online | ✔ Available |