How about Now? Changes in Risk Perception before and after Hurricane Irma

Risk reduction behaviors are often voluntary and influenced by how at-risk an individual personally feels, known as risk perception. This paper examines perception changed from before six months after Hurricane Irma, a Category 3 storm that narrowly missed Sarasota County, FL. Both surveys asked about residents’ hurricane perceptions, evacuation behaviors, mitigation plans, attitudes self-efficacy. For each question found in both surveys, the research used t-tests (? = 0.05) to assess whether significant changes perceptions occurred between responses. The results suggest Irma had notable impact on were most evident reported levels of self-efficacy residents less likely feel able sufficiently prepare for or recover impacts Irma. Respondents also more believe individuals responsible preparing impacts. findings have implications public communicators, who may find it effective sustainable appeal lowered sense responsibility dangers hurricanes while implementing policies communication strategies.