Together With TOSHA Newsletter, June 2022

https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/govpubs-tn-labor-workforce-development-tosha-newsletter/1003/thumbnail.jp

Together With TOSHA Newsletter, January 2022

https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/govpubs-tn-labor-workforce-development-tosha-newsletter/1004/thumbnail.jp

Living on the Edge:The Cost/Benefit Perceptions of TornadoSafe Rooms on the Periphery of Tornado Alley

Abstract There is a lack of correlation between the believed and actual threat of tornadoes on the periphery of Tornado Alley. The purpose of this project is to record the perceptions of homeowners and realtors of the threat posed by tornadoes in a specific geographic location and the need of tornado safe rooms to mitigate that threat and/or provide peace of mind from the potential of that threat. The research included surveying real estate agents and residents within the specified geographic location. Real estate agents were polled for their past experience in selling properties with tornado safe rooms, and present demand for same properties in the current market, their perceptions of the tornado risk and the need for mitigation measures, and how these may affect the value of a home and the marketability of a home. Residents were polled for their perceptions of tornado risk, the cost of mitigating the tornado risk, the need of mitigation, and any prior experience with tornadoes. They were also polled on the desire of a tornado safe room in a home, and to what cost having one would be worthwhile. The research supported the assumption that the actual threat of tornadoes does not match the perceived threat, the expected cost of a tornado safe rooms is greater than the actual cost, and that there is a significant portion of the population willing to pay for a safe room allowing for an emerging market of tornado safe rooms in either new construction or as a renovation

Exploring the Information-Seeking Behaviors and Decision-Making Processes of Couples in Response to Unfamiliar Tornado Threats

The unique disaster, tornado, causes significant damage and casualties in the US every year, and tornado warnings are crucial to helping people take protective action and reduce the negative impact, especially in an unfamiliar situation. It is important for authorities to better understand how households in low-risk areas rely on information, perceive risk, and make protective action decisions because tornadoes can occur in many geographic locations and might cause significant damage. However, tornado information search behavior and the dynamic decision-making process are not well understood in the existing literature. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of the interaction between couples on their information search behaviors and protective action decisions. To better understand this issue, 68 couples who were living in the Seattle (WA) metropolitan area, known for being at low risk of experiencing tornadoes, were recruited to respond to an escalating tornado scenario (Alerts 1 to 5). An experiment, using the DynaSearch computer program, was conducted to get insight into couples’ decision-making processes in terms of individual and joint decision-making. DynaSearch, using internet web browsers, was set up to display the severe weather scenario (5-stage alerts) on Information Screens and ask questions on Questionnaire Screens. To investigate couples’ information preferences, DynaSearch displayed four types of graphic information and eight kinds of textual information for each alert. DynaSearch also recorded the mouse click counts and click duration when participants searched for information. Additionally, to examine their responses when faced with the threat, participants reported the likelihood of taking eight types of actions after each alert. The results showed that the differences in risk perception between couples and individuals were not significant in an unfamiliar event. Yet, the interaction between couples has an impact on their responses to the threat. Couples and male individuals were less likely to leave home or seek a public shelter under a tornado warning compared to female individuals. Additionally, risk information comprehension and tornado knowledge were positively correlated with staying at home and not evacuating (i.e., perceiving the need for immediate protective action rather than potentially putting oneself in harm’s way) while under a tornado warning. Moreover, compared to tornado risk maps, people preferred textual information (e.g., protective action recommendations, potential impact, hazards, storm location) when faced with an unfamiliar situation. Overall, these findings can inform authorities and meteorologists in understanding how households in low-risk areas search for tornado information, their preferences, and the different responses based on decision-making conditions

03-30-2020 SWOSU Reminds Area Residents about Use of Campus Facilities as Volunteer Storm Shelters

When tornadic/stormy conditions exist, Southwestern Oklahoma State University reminds Weatherford residents to plan to seek shelter at home or in a personal shelter

Impact of the Media on False Public Perception of Tornado Safety Precautions

This study reports the findings of college students who completed questionnaires to gauge their perceptions of tornado preparedness and the impact of a video clip showing the wrong safety precautions being successfully employed. The primary source of data for this research comes in the form of survey data which has been collected from several classes of varying levels attended by students of a major university in Tornado Alley during the 2004-2005 academic year. This survey data was coded and statistical methods were performed to search for any statistical significance that may show a connection between certain independent variables when compared to a couple of dependent variables. Cross-Tabulations are performed in an attempt to discover the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. When the data are compared between the independent variables age, sex, college of enrollment, source of information, and self-reported level of preparedness knowledge, and the dependent variables of home safety and highway safety, the resulting information provides the researcher with data that could reflect certain trends of susceptibility. These data suggest that the media does in fact play a role in altering the public perceptions of tornado safety myths. The totals and the cross-tabulations demonstrate that there is in fact a link between the media and false public perception of the Kansas Turnpike Video (KTV) as a source for tornado preparedness. The media does play a significant role in the perceptions and opinions of the public. The Kansas Turnpike Video and similar media do alter the perceptions of the public in terms of tornado safety precautions. This and other videos do confuse people on what to do in a similar situation. This video helps to alter the secondary subculture to disseminate misinformation and allows the primary disaster subculture to be wrong in its approach to the problem. Lack of action by the media helps to continue the persistence of this misconception.Department of Sociolog

The Carbon (April 5, 1993)

https://mushare.marian.edu/crbn/1066/thumbnail.jp

Perceptions of Emergency Preparedness Among Immigrant Hispanics Living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Tornadoes are occurring with increased frequency in Oklahoma. Emergency preparedness planning is essential to decreasing individuals\u27 risks of injury or death from a tornado. Research on immigrant Hispanics\u27 knowledge and perceptions of emergency preparedness is limited. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and lived experiences of immigrant Hispanics who had experienced a tornado or other crisis weather conditions in Oklahoma during spring of 2013. The research questions explored their perceived risk for injury and knowledge of tornado preparedness planning. The health belief model provided the theoretical underpinnings for this qualitative phenomenological study. Semi structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 10 immigrant individuals living in and around Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Data were subjected to triangulation and analyzed to identify themes and patterns. Findings indicated that immigrant participants had experienced multiple tornadoes, routinely sought shelter during a tornado, and 50% had created a family emergency plan and supply kit because of their experience with tornadoes and perceived risk for injury. Identified barriers to preparedness planning were language barriers and lack of information on natural disaster preparedness. Recommendations included conducting public health outreach and establishing multidisciplinary partnerships within communities to provide cultural and linguistically appropriate disaster preparedness information to immigrant individuals. Findings provide public health practitioners with the ability to improve access and dissemination of preparedness planning information that may promote positive social change by decreasing immigrants\u27 risk of injury and death