Social vulnerability index for coastal communities at risk to hurricane hazard and a changing climate
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2011
Department
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
Abstract
This paper presents the development of the Coastal Community Social Vulnerability Index (CCSVI) in order to quantify the social vulnerability of hurricane-prone areas under various scenarios of climate change. The 2004-2005 Atlantic hurricane seasons is estimated to have caused $150 billion dollars in damages, and in recent years, the annual hurricane damage in the United States is estimated at around $6 billion. Hurricane intensity or/and frequency may change due to the increase in sea surface temperature as a result of climate change. Climate change is also predicted to cause a rise in sea levels, potentially resulting in higher storm surges. The CCSVI combines the intensity of hurricanes and hurricane-induced surge to create a comprehensive index that considers the effects of a changing climate. The main contributing factors of social vulnerability (such as race, age, gender, and socioeconomic status) in hurricane-prone areas are identified through a principal components analysis. The impact of social characteristics on the potential hurricane damage under various scenarios of climate change are evaluated using Miami-Dade County, Florida, as a case study location. This study finds that climate change may have a significant impact on the CCSVI.
Publication Title
Natural Hazards
Recommended Citation
Bjarnadottir, S.,
Li, Y.,
&
Stewart, M.
(2011).
Social vulnerability index for coastal communities at risk to hurricane hazard and a changing climate.
Natural Hazards,
59(2), 1055-1075.
http://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-011-9817-5
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/4980