Influence of COVID-19 Conditions on Resident Evacuation Behavior During Hurricane Ian

Abstract Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall in Florida in 2022, presented a unique challenge for residents due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines how the evolving COVID-19 pandemic affected perceptions of hurricane risks and evacuation decisions, particularly the role of COVID-19 concerns in influencing the decision to stay home. The study found that only 4% of respondents cited COVID-19 as the primary reason for staying home, while 50.1% of participants indicated that having a pet played a significant role in their decision. Most survey participants (70.3%) strongly agreed they were provided with timely information to make a good evacuation decision. The most heavily relied upon sources of information included local media, county/city emergency preparedness websites, and electronic media whereas the least relied upon sources of information were social media and print media. The findings of this study suggest that, even in the context of a pandemic, many residents evacuated for Hurricane Ian. However, COVID-19 concerns did play a role in some individuals' decisions, particularly those who were concerned about the crowded conditions in shelters. This study highlights the importance of providing clear, consistent, and timely information to residents during evacuations, particularly during a public health crisis.