Relocation Considerations of Gulf Coast Residents Following the 2017 Hurricane Season for Hazard Risk Reduction

Abstract

The United States experienced a series of record-breaking climate and weather-related disasters in 2017. While this may have been a record-breaking year, it is not expected to be an anomaly. Climatologists warn that disasters will become more costly in the U.S. as a result of global climate change and coastal development. A recent study suggests that many of low-lying coastal communities along the Gulf of Mexico may need to relocate by 2100 to avoid chronic flooding events exacerbated by sea level rise. Since rapid unmanaged outmigration of coastal residents caused by a disaster may have negative consequences for efforts of sustainability and community resilience, it is important for us to understand current relocation attitudes and potential buy-in for migration policy interventions. This study uses online survey measurements of both relocation and home buyout consideration to see if and under what circumstances Gulf Coast residents consider hazard relocation and if these circumstances vary between different strategies. The regression results presented highlight a number of individual and environmental factors contributing to relocation considerations of Gulf Coast residents following the 2017 hurricane season. However, there are variations in the influence of these factors between relocation and buyout consideration suggesting that compensation offered with buyouts influences relocation decision making. Findings from this analysis provide a new benchmark and direction for future studies assessing migration potential and buy-in within Gulf Coast communities under changing environmental conditions.