The Human Dimensions of Sheltering: Social Science Considerations for Safe Rooms and Shelters During Extreme Wind Events
What is the Challenge?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has invested more than $1.4 billion dollars in building safe rooms and has refined building design criteria and construction practices to ensure these structures withstand wind hazards. To date, none of the 46,677 safe rooms built to federal standards has experienced a failure. However, gaps remain in FEMA's understanding of if, how, and why people choose to access these shelters and what their experiences using them are. Similarly, it is unknown if updating building designs could improve shelter conditions and use. It is necessary to critically assess how these shelters are being used by different groups of people and if they can be improved.
Project Purpose
This project gathers, summarizes, and synthesizes social science literature and agency reports that focus on the human dimensions of sheltering from hurricanes, tornadoes, and other extreme wind hazards. In this case, “human dimensions” include topics related to psychology and sociology, including physical and mental health, human behavior, decision-making, and experiences sheltering from extreme wind hazards. This work builds off of a 2021 special collection of the Natural Hazards Center’s Research Counts special collection on Mass Sheltering and Disasters.
The intent of the present project was to provide recommendations informed by social and behavioral science that account for the human factors that influence shelter use and experiences. Information gaps and further research needs were also identified. To address these aims, an in-depth literature review was conducted and a white paper that summarized the findings and associated recommendations was written.
This work was made possible through a partnership between FEMA, the Applied Technology Council (ATC), and the Natural Hazards Center. FEMA provided funding for this effort through the Earthquake and Wind Programs Branch Architectural & Engineering support contract. ATC provided project contracting support and oversight.
Outcomes
The projectproduced an annotated and simple bibliography.
It also involved the production of a white paper that synthesizes findings from 105 social science articles and 13 federal agency reports published between 1999 and 2024 that explore the human factors influencing shelter use, barriers to sheltering, and shelter occupant experiences.
The white paper is currently undergoing review and will be released after ensuring its compliance.
Findings in the white paper are focused on the United States and U.S. territories and tribal nations. It is organized chronologically: before the storm, during the storm, and between storms (i.e., issues occurring during non-emergency periods). Key findings include reasons for not sheltering (e.g., lack of awareness of shelter locations, false sense of security at home, or having pets), challenges faced while sheltering (e.g., lack of privacy, unclear signage, or issues with lifelines), and systemic issues (e.g., lack of shelters or issues with long-term maintenance). Recommendations in four categories are offered to address the issues identified in the literature: (1) human-centered design, (2) operations, (3) planning and outreach, and (4) policy change. Policymakers, government agencies, and emergency managers can use these findings and recommendations to update shelter planning and policy. Researchers can use the identified research gaps to guide future research into social and psychological shelter experiences. This thorough review of literature provides insights into the human dimensions of sheltering during extreme wind events with a goal of ensuring those most at risk can find safety.
Project Team
Project Lead: Carson MacPherson-Krutsky, Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado Boulder (Carson.M-K@colorado.edu)
Project Advisors:
Daniel Bass, Federal Emergency Management Agency
Pataya Scott, Federal Emergency Management Agency
Jon Heintz, Applied Technology Council
Lori Peek, Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado Boulder