Influences of social networks, demographics, and evacuation duration on evacuation decisions: Insights from Ohio and Pennsylvania

Abstract

Understanding post-hazard evacuation decisions poses challenges due to the complex interplay between individual behaviors and community influences. This study investigates the evacuation decisions made by residents from three counties of Ohio and Pennsylvania, correlating their choices with various sociodemographic and behavioral factors. By analyzing diverse evacuation durations—spanning a week, two months, and a permanent period—the research identifies patterns in distance preference, influenced by attributes such as gender, race, social networks, and travel habits. Evacuation duration emerged as a significant predictor of the distance traveled, with prolonged durations leading to farther evacuations. The research highlights the importance of leveraging local social networks for effective communication during hazards and informs policy recommendations for tailored evacuation advisories and inter-state evacuation collaborations.