Background/Objectives

This paper reports on the preliminary findings of a research project titled “Integrating Environmental Justice into NWS Services to Reduce the Vulnerability of HUSVCs to Extreme Weather Events”.  The main goal of the project is to strengthen historically underserved socially vulnerable communities (HUSVCs) against extreme weather. The project will achieve its objectives by fostering environmental justice discourse into National Weather Service (NWS) products and services for monitoring and forecasting meteorological and climatic variables and extreme weather events such as hurricanes, tropical storms, tornados, flash floods, and coastal flooding. Various vulnerable communities within three target states of Mississippi, New York, and Maine were selected to explore the current status of communication flows between NWS and end users. The project is driven by the belief that meeting environmental justice and equity goals requires improving the quality and accessibility of NWS services for vulnerable communities. The idea is that with effective communication vulnerable communities can better prepare for extreme weather events. By enhancing their monitoring and forecasting specifically to serve the needs of underserved residents, the NWS will promote equity as well as readiness. This paper addresses the results of qualitative and quantitative research activities in the first phase of the project.

Approach/Activities

The project utilized an exploratory mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data were gathered from a series of focus groups involving diverse participants such as NOAA headquarters officials, local authorities, and field emergency managers. These discussions led to the generation of codes and conceptual themes, which informed the development of a survey instrument. This instrument was designed and developed based on the research objectives, existing knowledge, inputs from NOAA collaborators, and insights from the focus groups. Quantitative data were collected from selected counties in Mississippi - Sharkey, Issaquena, and Warren - employing various techniques during the summer and fall of 2023. These data were then subjected to statistical modeling and analysis.

Results/Lessons Learned

The thematic analysis of focus group data revealed recurring themes across discussions, which were correlated with community resilience. The top three themes from each dimension of the discussions were identified. Additionally, the analysis of quantitative data highlighted significant disparities in race, education, and income within the target population. Results also shed light on the target population's perceived understanding of various NWS tools and systems. These findings suggest the need for an integrated, tailored communication approach that ensures vulnerable communities receive timely and effective information relevant to imminent natural hazards.