Hurricane Isaias: Experts Available to Discuss Storm Impacts, Vulnerable Communities and Disaster Response | Newswise

Newswise — Hurricane Isaias is expected to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast Friday night, bringing potentially dangerous winds, storm surge and significant flooding. Experts from the University of Delaware's Disaster Research Center can discuss the risks to communities along the coast and farther inland, including evacuation challenges, public health concerns and the needs of vulnerable populations.

• Sarah DeYoung, associate professor of sociology and criminal justice, worked for several years with refugee and immigrant communities in southern Alabama through a grant-funded project. She can discuss the unique needs those communities may face before, during and after a hurricane, including challenges accessing information, assistance and other resources.

• Jennifer Horney, professor of epidemiology, was part of the public health response to Hurricane Harvey, which hit the same region, and can discuss the potential impacts of Isaias on the still-struggling communities there. She can also talk about how residents may underestimate the risks of a storm that is expected to weaken before making landfall and may choose not to follow even mandatory evacuation orders.

• Jennifer Trivedi, associate professor of anthropology, studies how disasters affect marginalized communities. She can discuss how even lower-category storms can have significant consequences for people who already struggle to meet basic daily needs, particularly when flooding disrupts housing, transportation, food access and other essential services.

• Tricia Wachtendorf, co-director of the Disaster Research Center, can discuss the social impacts of hurricanes and hurricane-related inland flooding, including evacuation, preparedness and how communities respond to and recover from lower-category storms that can nonetheless cause significant damage.

To arrange an interview, send an email to [email protected].

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Jennifer Horney

Founding Director, Program in Epidemiology

University of Delaware