Geographical Information Systems-Based Assessment of Evacuation Accessibility to Special Needs Shelters Comparing Storm Surge Impacts of Hurricane Irma (2017) and Ian (2022)

Research on hurricane impacts in Florida’s coastal regions has been extensive, yet there remains a gap in comparing the effects and potential damage of different hurricanes within the same geographical area. Additionally, there is a need for reliable discussions on how variations in storm surges during these events influence evacuation accessibility to hurricane shelters. This is especially significant for rural areas with a vast number of aging populations, whose evacuation may require extra attention due to their special needs (i.e., access and functional needs). Therefore, this study aims to address this gap by conducting a comparative assessment of storm surge impacts on the evacuation accessibility of southwest Florida communities (e.g., Lee and Collier Counties) affected by two significant hurricanes: Irma in 2017 and Ian in 2022. Utilizing the floating catchment area method and examining Replica’s OD Matrix data with Geographical Information Systems (GISs)-based technical tools, this research seeks to provide insights into the effectiveness of evacuation plans and identify areas that need enhancements for special needs sheltering. By highlighting the differential impacts of storm surges on evacuation accessibility between these two hurricanes, this assessment contributes to refining disaster risk reduction strategies and has the potential to inform decision-making processes for mitigating the impacts of future coastal hazards.