Hurricane Melissa: Preparation, decision making and recovery from potentially 'catastrophic' storm

Oct 27, 2025

1 min

Jennifer HorneySarah DeYoungTricia WachtendorfJennifer TrivediA.R. Siders


Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 5 storm, is projected to cause “catastrophic” flooding and inflict severe damage in Jamaica. The University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center has several experts who can talk about preparations, evacuations, health impacts, decision making and recovery.


The following experts in the DRC – which has a few contacts in Jamaica – are available for comment.


Jennifer Horney: Health impacts of disasters as well as how cuts to aid and emergency assistance will factor into recovery after the storm.


Sarah DeYoung: Pets in emergencies, infant feeding in disasters and decision-making in evacuation.


Tricia Wachtendorf: Evacuation decision-making, disaster response and coordination, disaster relief (donations) and logistics, volunteer and emergent efforts, social vulnerability.


Jennifer Trivedi: Can talk about preparedness steps and recovery as well as challenges for people with disabilities during disaster, cultural issues and long-term recovery.


Shanjia Dong: Research looks at infrastructure systems, critical infrastructure protection, effective disaster preparedness and response, and equitable resilience planning and climate change adaptation.


A.R. Siders: Expert on sea level rise and managed retreat – the concept of planned community movement away from coastlines and flood-prone areas.


To contact these experts directly and arrange an interview, visit their profiles and click on the "contact" button. Interested reporters can also email MediaRelations@udel.edu.


Connect with:
Jennifer Horney

Jennifer Horney

Professor and Director, Epidemiology

Jennifer Horney's research focuses on the health impacts of disasters and public health emergencies including climate change.

EpidemiologyepidemicCOVID-19Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency ResponseRapid Assessment
Sarah DeYoung

Sarah DeYoung

Associate Professor, Sociology & Criminal Justice

Prof. DeYoung's expertise is in maternal and child health in crisis and disaster settings, with a focus on infant feeding in emergencies.

Evacuation Decision-makingCompanion Animals in DisastersMaternal & Infant Health in DisastersRefugee & Immigrant Well-beingPsychological Sense of Community
Tricia Wachtendorf

Tricia Wachtendorf

Director / Professor, Disaster Research Center / Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice

Prof. Wachtendorf expertise lies in the social, organizational, and decision-making aspects of disasters.

evacuationsMulti-organizational coordination and responses in disastersTransnational crisesImprovisation and adaptationCommunity-based approaches to preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation
Jennifer Trivedi

Jennifer Trivedi

Assistant Professor, Anthropology; Core Faculty Member, Disaster Research Center

Prof. Trivedi's research explores disaster vulnerability, response, recovery, resilience and decision-making.

Disaster Resilience‎Disaster ResponseDisaster VulnerabilityDisaster RecoveryHurricanes
A.R. Siders

A.R. Siders

Director, Climate Change Science & Policy Hub | Core Faculty, Disaster Research Center | Associate Professor, Biden School of Public Policy and Administration & Department of Geography & Spatial Sciences

Prof. Siders' research focuses on climate change adaptation policies with an emphasis on relocation and fairness in adaptation.

Climate ChangeManaged RetreatClimate & Disaster StudyEnvironmental Video GamesClimate Change Adaptation Policies

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