Improving shadow evacuation management: Case study of the Graniteville, South Carolina, chlorine spill

Authors

  • Jerry T. Mitchell, PhD
  • Susan L. Cutter, PhD
  • Andrew S. Edmonds, MS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2007.0041

Keywords:

-

Abstract

Facilitating evacuations is a primary aim of disaster management. While under-response to evacuation orders is a typical problem, over-response, or a shadow evacuation, also poses serious problems and should be minimized when possible. This case study of a chlorine spill was designed to evaluate the differences in evacuation behavior between those faced with an evacuation order versus spontaneous, voluntary evacuees. We found that a significant shadow evacuation developed, and we believe that the addition of geographic specificity to the warning message may have limited the scope of the over-response.

Author Biographies

Jerry T. Mitchell, PhD

Director, Center of Excellence for Geographic Education, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.

Susan L. Cutter, PhD

Director, Hazards Research Lab, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.

Andrew S. Edmonds, MS

Research associate, Hazards Research Lab, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.

References

NBC 5 News: Railroad train engineer dies in freight train collision: Trains collide, spill toxic fumes. Dallas/Fort Worth NBC 5 Web site. Available at www.nbc5i.com/news/3468055/detail.html. Accessed February 13, 2007.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Public health consequences from hazardous substances acutely released during rail transit—South Carolina, 2005; selected States, 1999-2004. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2005; 54(3): 64-67.

National Transportation Safety Board: NTSB to Examine Minot, North Dakota Hazmat Release at July Public Hearing. NTSB News Web site. Available at www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2002/020628.htm. Accessed February 13, 2007.

Kim S: Chlorine leaks in Missouri. Disaster News Network Web site. Available at www.disasternews.net/news/news.php?articleid=1522. Accessed February 13, 2007.

Sorenson J, Mileti DS: Warning and evacuation: Answering some basic questions. Industrial Crisis Quarterly. 1988; 2(2): 195-209.

Dow K, Cutter SL: Public orders and personal opinions: Household strategies for hurricane risk assessment. Environmental Hazards. 2001; 2(4): 143-155.

Hazards Management Group: Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Behavioral Analysis. Tallahassee, FL: Hazards Management Group, 1990.

Johnson JH: Predicting nuclear reactor emergency evacuation behavior. Energy. 1986; 11(9): 861-868.

Cutter S, Barnes K: Evacuation behavior and Three Mile Island. Disasters. 1982; 6(2): 116-124.

Johnson JH: Planning for spontaneous evacuation during a radiological emergency. Nuclear Safety. 1984; 25(2): 186-194.

Zeigler DJ, Johnson JH: Evacuation behavior in response to nuclear power plant accidents. Prof Geogr. 1984; 36(2): 207-215.

Zeigler DJ, Brunn SD, Johnson JH: Evacuation from a nuclear technological disaster. Geogr Rev. 1981; 71(1): 1-16.

Baker EJ: Southeast U.S. Hurricane Evacuation Traffic Study Behavioral Analysis. Tallahassee, FL: Hazards Management Group, 2000.

Dow K, Cutter SL: Emerging hurricane evacuation issues: Hurricane Floyd and South Carolina. Natural Hazards Review. 2002; 3(1): 12-18.

Tierney K, Lindell M, Perry R: Facing the Unexpected: Disaster Preparedness and Response in the United States. Washington, DC: Joseph Henry Press, 2001.

Dillman D: Mail and Telephone Surveys: The Total Design Method. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1977.

Perry RW, Greene MR, Lindell MK: Enhancing evacuation warning compliance: Suggestions for emergency planning. Disasters. 1980; 4(4): 433-449.

Dymon UJ, Winter NL: Emergency mapping in grassroots America: A derailment evacuation case study. Geoforum. 1991; 22(4): 377-389.

US Department of Transportation: 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. Washington, DC: US Department of Transportation, 1996.

Liverman DM, Wilson JP: The Mississauga train derailment and evacuation, 10-16 November 1979. Can Geogr. 1981; 25(4): 365-375.

Published

01/01/2007

How to Cite

Mitchell, PhD, J. T., S. L. Cutter, PhD, and A. S. Edmonds, MS. “Improving Shadow Evacuation Management: Case Study of the Graniteville, South Carolina, Chlorine Spill”. Journal of Emergency Management, vol. 5, no. 1, Jan. 2007, pp. 28-34, doi:10.5055/jem.2007.0041.