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Disaster Response Expert: How Flood Evacuations Impact Vulnerable Families, Infants and Companion Animals

Aug 27, 2026

2 min

Sarah DeYoung
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When disasters strike, evacuation decisions can be complicated by factors that emergency planners may not always anticipate — including the needs of pets, infants and other vulnerable members of a household.


University of Delaware disaster researcher Sarah DeYoung studies how people make decisions during disasters and how emergency planning can better account for the needs of families and their companion animals. Her expertise includes evacuation decision-making, companion animals in disasters, infant feeding in emergencies and maternal and child well-being during disasters.


DeYoung's research is particularly relevant as communities around the world respond to natural disasters, including the devastating flooding currently affecting Nepal. DeYoung has conducted field research following 13 disasters, including the 2015 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal, where she studied maternal and infant health and feeding in the aftermath of the disaster.


She says that pets can significantly influence evacuation decisions. People may delay or avoid evacuation if they cannot bring their animals with them, while others may return to dangerous areas to retrieve pets. Her work examines how emergency managers can better incorporate animals into evacuation and sheltering plans.


She also studies the particular challenges facing mothers and infants during disasters, including access to food, infant feeding, shelter and other basic necessities.


Topics she can discuss include:


• How pets influence evacuation decisions

• Challenges of evacuating and sheltering with companion animals

• How emergency planners can better account for pets and families

• Emergency warnings and evacuation decision making 

• The needs of mothers and infants during disasters

• Infant feeding and access to basic necessities during disaster recovery

• How disasters affect vulnerable populations and family well-being


To reach DeYoung directly and arrange an interview, visit her profile and click on the "contact" button. Interested reporters can also send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.

Connect with:
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
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