Recently Funded Research
The following is a list of forthcoming research projects from the Natural Hazards Center Quick Response Research Award Program. Within six months of award approval, researchers submit an abstract and 20 page double-spaced report detailing their preliminary findings. Completed reports are available on the Quick Response Reports page.
Quick Response Program Awardees
Social-Wildfire Vulnerability Affecting Spanish-Speaking Populations in the Texas Wildland Urban Interface
Rodolfo Hernandez Perez, Texas Tech University
Raisa Marcela Ortiz Cardona, Texas Tech University
Kari Hines, Texas A&M Forest Service
Alexander Bregenzer, Spring Fire Department Harris County
Reilly Ruggiero, Texas Tech University
Date Awarded: October 24, 2024
This project aims to assess the increased vulnerability of Spanish-speaking and bilingual Hispanic-Latinx communities in Texas wildland-urban interfaces during a severe wildfire season. The study will use a bilingual survey to evaluate sociodemographic and cultural elements affecting wildfire preparedness, prevention, and mitigation within these communities. The survey is based on previous work funded by the Natural Hazards Center and integrates contemporary wildfire management, socioecological, and social vulnerability paradigms. This research will provide critical insights into wildfire risk and vulnerability to update community protection plans and bilingual resources for the Texas Forest Service.
California First Responders’ Perspective in the Response Phase of a Wildland Fire
Shih-Kai Huang, Jacksonville State University
Joseph Dunlap, Riverside County Sheriff's Office
Chan Wang, Jacksonville State University
Date Awarded: April 9, 2025
This exploratory research aims to understand the wildland fire crisis response system from the perspective of first responders during four incidents in Southern California between 2024 and 2025. The researchers will use mixed qualitative methods to gather and identify evidence and compare it with the existing wildland fire emergency management system. The findings will inform improvements within the crisis response and management systems and support future studies by publishing a survey question bank, interview guide, and labeled imagery dataset. Timely data collection will contribute to empirical knowledge in crisis response and management for first responders responding to wildland fires.
Palisades Fire Response: Malibu Community Brigade Integration
Steven Jensen, California State University at Long Beach
Sara O'Connor, California State University at Long Beach
Brent Woodworth, Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation
Shirley Feldmann-Jensen, California State University at Long Beach
Date Awarded: January 3, 2025
The January 2025 Palisades Fire in Malibu, California occurred just over six years after the Woolsey Fire devastated the same community, but the two showed demonstrably different impacts. The Palisades Fire offers an opportunity to understand how intentional resilience building processes have influenced the community’s interactions with wildfire risk. The study will focus on the Community Brigade pilot program and consider broader efforts to reduce risk at the wildland-urban interface. Of particular interest are the emergent improvements in cognition within the integrated response between emergency services, the community brigades, and the rest of the community.
Street View Imagery of Palisades and Eaton Fires’ Recovery
Maryia Markhvida, New York University
Yuliya Parshina-Kottas, New York University
Rodrigo Costa, University of Waterloo
Date Awarded: March 7, 2025
This study will use the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure Network’s Natural Hazard and Disaster Reconnaissance Facility (RAPID) facility to capture 360° street view imagery of early recovery following the 2025 Southern California Wildfires in the Palisades and Eaton fire-affected areas. The collected data, which will be made accessible via DesignSafe-CI data depot, will enable the development of experiential simulations of post-wildfire environments and support immersive analytics for climate adaptation. Using a custom-built generative artificial intelligence framework, scalable across many high-risk locations, this approach will allow community members to virtually "walk" through their neighborhoods after a wildfire scenario using Google Street View. The outcomes of this research aim to inform preparedness and adaptation and foster lasting community engagement.
Supporting Safe Infant Feeding in Western North Carolina After Hurricane Helene
Stephanie Martin, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Aunchalee Palmquist, Duke University
Heather Wasser, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Paris Laliberte, North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition
Catherine Sullivan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kathy Parry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Love Anderson, North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition
Date Awarded: March 11, 2025
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and communities in Western North Carolina, leaving thousands of residents without access to potable water for weeks. In response, the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition launched the Support & Advocacy for Infant Feeding in Emergencies (SAFE) Team to help families safely feed their infants and young children. This study will use Ripple Effects Mapping to evaluate the SAFE Team’s response in Western North Carolina, examining the factors that facilitated their efforts, the challenges they encountered, and key recommendations for strengthening community preparedness, response, and recovery.
Impacts of the Los Angeles Wildfires on Children With Cancer: A Pilot Study
Judy Ou, University of Utah
Echo Warner, University of Utah
Nancy Daher, University of Utah
David Freyer, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
James VanDerslice, University of Utah
Anne Kirchhoff, University of Utah
Date Awarded: March 19, 2025
Children with cancer require specialized care, and their health complications may increase their susceptibility to wildfire smoke. This pilot study will gather primary data from children with cancer after the 2025 Southern California Wildfires. We will implement a mixed methods approach that leverages environmental sampling data alongside survey and qualitative data to describe wildfire smoke exposure in children with cancer, health symptoms, and caregivers’ perceptions of wildfire smoke as a health hazard. We will identify any missed cancer care appointments and use of emergency care. We will recruit 15-20 caregivers of children with cancer from Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
Special Call for Health Outcomes and Disaster Research
Ohio's 2024 Tornado Touchdown Impact on Mental Health Among Socioeconomically Challenged Communities
Amer Abukhalaf, Clemson University
Date Awarded: May 23, 2024
The rare breakout of tornadoes in Ohio between February and April 2024 caused alarm among people in Franklin County, which added to the mental health burden of the socioeconomically challenged communities in the county. Our research will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews, to capture the complexity and heterogeneity of individual experiences. Quantitative data will provide statistical analyses of mental health indicators and socioeconomic variables, while qualitative insights will offer rich narratives and contextual understanding of the social and psychological dimensions of disaster recovery, which will help our team promote resilience and capacity-building initiatives.
Assessing Health and Environmental Impacts of 2023 Maui Wildfires on Asian Americans
Shinwoo Choi, Texas State University
Yong Je Kim, Lamar University
Date Awarded: December 4, 2023
In August 2023, a catastrophic wildfire engulfed Maui, Hawaii, taking 115 lives and destroying thousands of homes. The aftermath poses significant environmental challenges, including soil contamination and potential health risks. This research focuses on Asian American survivors, the largest ethnic minority in Maui County, investigating their health and mental well-being post-wildfire. It also examines the perspectives of healthcare providers regarding the impact of wildfire on soil contamination and health. Soil samples will be collected to assess contamination risks. The study seeks to illuminate the unique experiences of Asian American communities, contributing to disaster response and environmental conservation.
Examining Hurricane Helene Flooding Vulnerabilities and Health Disparities in Southern Appalachia
Jennifer First, University of Missouri
J. Brian Houston, Disaster and Community Crisis Center
Kristina Kintziger, University of Nebraska
Megan Waddle, University of Missouri
Sarah Scales, University of Nebraska
Kelsey Ellis, University of Tennessee
Michael Sunde, University of Missouri
Jordan Fazio, University of Tennessee
Date Awarded: December 30, 2024
This interdisciplinary study examines the spatial, temporal, and contextual dimensions of flooding and health disparities in low-income Appalachian communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Using a convergent mixed methods approach, this study examines natural, built, and social environments that contribute to flooding and health disparities in southern Appalachia and seeks to address disparities by developing a dynamic convergent process to integrate geospatial, social, and health sciences with stakeholder practices and policies. Project findings aim to reduce societal harm and promote equitable flood mitigation and recovery, benefitting marginalized populations, emergency managers, and public health professionals in the Appalachian region.
Climate Change Disasters: Chronic Disease Management Following Hurricane Helene in East Tennessee
Kimberly Kelly, University of Tennessee
Kenneth Hohmeier, University of Tennessee
Charleen McNeill, University of Tennessee
Tyler Melton, University of Tennessee
Michelle Martin, University of Tennessee
Date Awarded: December 30, 2024
Individuals in rural Appalachia have increased morbidity and mortality from chronic disease. These challenges were exacerbated by Hurricane Helene in September of 2024, which resulted in widespread flooding, property damage, and deaths. Due to road destruction, loss of homes and cars, and electrical outages, individuals with chronic disease have had problems managing their condition, including having access to needed prescriptions. This mixed methods study will survey and interview physicians, pharmacists, and nurses about ways to improve disaster management planning for healthcare professionals serving patients with chronic disease.
Longitudinal Evaluation of Wildfire Impacts on a Cohort of People Experiencing Homelessness in Los Angeles
Randall Kuhn, University of California, Los Angeles
Jessie Chien, University of California, Los Angeles
Benjamin Henwood, University of Southern California
Evan Shannon, University of California, Los Angeles
Date Awarded: February 24, 2025
This rapid response proposal will address the longitudinal impacts of the January 2025 Southern California Wildfires within an existing representative monthly cohort survey of about 500 people experiencing homelessness. The project aims to support (a) the collection of self-reported data on wildfire and wind exposure, (b) the integration and cross-validation of remotely sensed data on wildfire exposures, and (c) impact evaluation research comparing the short-term impacts of wildfire/wind exposure on a wide range of self-reported measures of physical and mental health, healthcare access, and basic needs access among disaster-exposed vs. less-exposed respondents.
California Wildfire Smoke Events: Life Course Risk Perceptions and Mental Health Impacts
Kathleen Lynch, New York University
Alexis Merdjanoff, New York University
David Abramson, New York University
Date Awarded: August 20, 2024
The 2024 California wildfire season is anticipated to be one of the longest and most intense in state history. Wildfire smoke is not an acute exposure but a recurrent hazard which accumulates over time. Its fluctuation also leads to variation in threat perception and response, even within families. Using a dyadic interviewing approach, this project aims to examine the distinct mental health concerns, risk perceptions, and event related decision-making among two vulnerable but understudied age cohorts: young adults (18-34) and members of the ‘sandwich generation' (50-64), to inform age-tailored risk communication strategies for future smoke events.
Exploring Mental Health Impact of Hurricane Beryl on Minorities in Houston, Texas
Oluponmile Olonilua, Texas Southern University
John Aliu, University of Georgia
Date Awarded: October 22, 2024
This study investigates the immediate and enduring mental health impacts of Hurricane Beryl on minorities in the Third Ward and Fifth Ward areas of Houston. Using a mixed-methods approach, it will examine how environmental hazards intersect with social vulnerabilities to affect mental well-being post-disaster. Quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews explore stressors, barriers to mental health services, and culturally sensitive coping strategies. By addressing critical gaps in current literature, this research seeks to inform policy, enhance disaster preparedness, and promote resilience in marginalized communities. This interdisciplinary study will contribute to understanding disaster resilience and mental health, advocating for equitable interventions, and empowering communities.
Transit Riders’ Health Risks and Adaptive Travel During the Los Angeles Wildfires
Matthew Palm, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tara Goddard, Texas A&M University
Ryan Miller, California Polytechnic State University
Sang-O Kim, University of California, Los Angeles
Sarah Grajdura, Utah State University
Sarah Dennis, University of Washington
Madeline Brozen, University of California, Los Angeles
Amy Lee, University of California, Los Angeles
Date Awarded: February 5, 2025
Fast-moving wildfires pose unique evacuation challenges for transit-dependent populations, who often face compounded risks of prolonged air pollution exposure and disrupted access to essential services. This study will investigate the experiences of transit riders during the 2025 Eaton and Palisades wildfires in Los Angeles, leveraging innovative rapid recruitment through the Transit App. By collecting perishable data on evacuation behaviors, air pollution exposure, and health-protective actions, we aim to fill critical knowledge gaps at the intersection of environmental justice, transportation equity, and disaster planning. Findings will inform equitable evacuation strategies, ensuring the safety and resilience of the most vulnerable urban populations.
Mental Health of Community Volunteers in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
Sophia Ryan, Appalachian State University
Maggie Sugg, Appalachian State University
Jennifer Tyson, Appalachian State University
Date Awarded: December 30, 2024
Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina in September 2024. Isolated rural geographies and infrastructure failures, including washed out roads and bridges, and downed cellular towers and power lines, compounded with the intensity of the storm, which delivered 20 to 30 inches of rain in 24 hours and led to widespread damage and disruption, increasing potential mental health stressors. This study aims to address gaps in understanding mental health risk and resilience factors among rural volunteers impacted by disasters. Survey data will assess mental health impacts beyond the immediate disaster response period, developing a transdisciplinary framework that incorporates geographic, social, and resource-limited factors.
Nebraska Tornado Quick Response: Assessing Community Impacts and Evaluating Early Warnings
Sarah Elizabeth Scales, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Summer Woolsey, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Kristina Kintziger, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Rachael Birn, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Siddhi Munde, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Date Awarded: June 18, 2024
On April 26, 2024, a tornado outbreak affected communities in Nebraska and Iowa, including Washington and Douglas counties in Nebraska. There has been little rapid response research that assesses needs, mental and physical health impacts, and lived experiences of communities affected by tornadoes. Using an alternative rapid needs assessment methodology adapted for rural communities and community-based surveys, we will assess the acute needs of both urban and rural communities. Focus group interviews will be used to characterize early warning systems, and a protective action decision-making framework will be used to assess community engagement with and uptake of warnings.
Impacts of Flooding on Opioid use Disorder in Western Pennsylvania
Virginia Silvis, The Pennsylvania State University
Brian King, The Pennsylvania State University
Halie Kampman, The Pennsylvania State University
Date Awarded: November 21, 2024
Much of Western Pennsylvania lies in a floodplain, making residents vulnerable to floods that are increasingly exacerbated by climate change. Our study explores how and why people in recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) have unique vulnerabilities to flooding events. We use a case study approach, studying the impacts of the flooding event on April 11-12, 2024 in Allegheny and Washington counties. We ask how flooding impacts the recovery community, with a focus on structural vulnerabilities. Semi-structured interviews with first responders and professionals employed at OUD treatment centers will expand on the nuances of flooding impacts and ultimately improve services.
Transportation as a Social Determinant of Health During Hurricane Idalia
Xiang Yan, University of Florida
Catherine Campbell, University of Florida
Shih-Kai Huang, Jacksonville State University
Xilei Zhao, University of Florida
Date Awarded: November 16, 2023
This project will survey and interview Florida residents impacted by Hurricane Idalia to understand the role of transportation as a social determinant of health during hurricanes. Specifically, a survey will be conducted to reveal how transportation factors (e.g., vehicle ownership, disability) constitute a major barrier for people to evacuate before the hurricane and to access healthcare and food throughout Hurricane Idalia’s aftermath. The research team will also conduct interviews to understand how transportation-disadvantaged populations coped with healthcare/food access challenges during the hurricane, as well as the role of transportation assistance in addressing their access needs.
Special Call for Proposals: FEMA Region 8
Climate Change Impacts on the Native American Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic of the Northern Great Plains
Shelby Ross, University of Colorado Boulder
Date Awarded: February 17, 2023
A mixed method approach will be used to distribute two surveys to invite feedback from the healthcare workers who provide services to Native American individuals who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The second survey will invite feedback from all Native American adults in the Northern Great Plains. The collected data will undergo a descriptive statistical analysis. The surveys will place emphasis on understanding how Native American individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes—who are living in a reality of a diminishing land-based knowledge system under a changing climate—are experiencing climate change-induced extreme weather events.
Quick Response Research Reports are based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF Award #1635593). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF or the Natural Hazards Center.