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Disaster researchers discuss preparedness, evacuations and recovery as Hurricane Idalia bears down on Florida's Gulf Coast

Aug 29, 2023

1 min

A.R. SidersTricia WachtendorfJennifer HorneySarah DeYoungJennifer TrivediJoseph E. Trainor


It's déjà vu all over again. Less than a year after Hurricane Ian brought floods and destruction to Florida towns off the Gulf of Mexico, another storm, Hurricane Idalia, is expected to strengthen significantly ahead of its expected landfall on Wednesday. Experts from the University of Delaware's Disaster Research Center can talk about a variety of topics, including preparedness, sea-level rise, managed retreat, evacuations and recovery, as they relate to the latest hurricane to hit the Sunshine State.


A.R. Siders: Expert on sea level rise and managed retreat – the concept of planned community movement away from coastlines and flood-prone areas. She can discuss the impact of the expected storm surge and what can be done in the future to prepare and avoid costly and deadly ramifications from the resulting flooding.


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


Jennifer Horney: Environmental impacts of disasters and potential public health impacts for chronic and infectious diseases.


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


Jennifer Trivedi: Challenges for people with disabilities during disaster, cultural issues and long-term recovery.


Joe Trainor: Post-storm housing decisions and insurance.


To schedule an interview with any of these experts, simply click on their profile and send them a message.

Connect with:
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
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 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
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
Joseph E. Trainor

Joseph E. Trainor

Interim Dean and Professor, Biden School of Public Policy & Administration

Can discuss behavioral responses to disasters, including household risk management and decision making about warnings and evacuation orders.

Public and organizational behavior in disastersDisaster MitigationSmart Warning SystemsMobile Warning SystemsDisaster Warning Systems
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