Open AccessThe impact of income disparity on vulnerability and information collection: an analysis of the 2011 Thai Flood
Author(s) -
Henry M.,
Kawasaki A.,
Takigawa I.,
Meguro K.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of flood risk management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.049
H-Index - 36
ISSN - 1753-318X
DOI - 10.1111/jfr3.12144
Subject(s) - flood myth , vulnerability (computing) , socioeconomics , hotline , household income , data collection , business , geography , demographic economics , psychology , economics , sociology , telecommunications , engineering , computer science , computer security , social science , archaeology
The impact of income disparity on vulnerability and information collection during the 2011 Thai Flood was examined through a survey investigation. Lower‐income respondents were found to have been more likely to be inundated by the flood than higher‐income respondents because of the location of their residences, and lower‐income respondents whose residences flooded were also less likely to have evacuated. Television was widely used, regardless of income level, but lower‐income respondents tended to also utilise lower‐technology modes, such as radios and loudspeakers, in contrast to the Internet‐based modes used by higher‐income respondents. Lower‐income respondents also tended to be less aware of the government hotline; however, those that were aware of it were more likely to find it useful. Overall, while income was a good predictor of people's flood vulnerability, it was not the best predictor for media usage; other demographic characteristics, such as education level and age, should also be considered.