Responding to flood risk in Louisiana: the roles of place attachment, emotions, and location

Abstract Drawing from protection motivation theory (PMT), we examined how place attachment and negative emotions, alongside threat coping appraisals, personal experiences, demographic characteristics, relate to behavioral intentions mitigate exposure flood risks in southern Louisiana. We administered a statewide, representative telephone survey 807 Louisiana residents, oversampling residents living coastal parishes particularly vulnerable risk. While the results showed no difference depending on participants’ location state, there were strong effects of appraisals individuals’ their risk, consistent with prior PMT findings. The addition standard variables revealed nuanced relationship intentions. Results show that decreased some intentions, such as moving out while posing significant effect other supporting risk mitigation policies. Feeling emotions increased likelihood indicating willingness move or elevate home, among actions. this study supports consistency predict discrete also provide insight may be critical for communication initiatives Namely, individuals high levels less willing leave community but more engage behaviors enhance resilience, although they feel, take drastic measures.