Improving Tornado Warning Communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Audiences

Although specialized personal and residential Deaf warning technologies exist, receipt and comprehension of tornado warning information from local television is often delayed or misunderstood because of closed-captioning deficiencies. In order to suggest improvements for the communication of tornado warnings to Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HoH) audiences, interviews and a focus group were conducted within the active tornado counties of Alabama. D/HoH individuals generally use more information sources than the hearing population to better understand their risk. Protective action decision-making by our sample was characterized by more hesitation, uncertainty, and indecision than in the hearing population. The most common suggestion for improving tornado-warning communication was to have an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter shown on screen with a local television meteorologist during a tornado warning. A split-screen television product with an ASL interpreter in a remote studio was prototyped showing that this type of live broadcast is possible for local tornado-warning coverage. Several screen formats were evaluated by a focus group with the conclusion that the ASL interpreter should be on the left side of the screen without obscuring any part of the weather broadcast. The split-screen product with an ASL interpreter resulted in full access to all broadcast information, the ability to make immediate safety decisions, and was welcomed with excitement by the focus-group participants. This modification, along with the education and preparedness efforts of the National Weather Service, help remedy the information gaps and comprehension delays of this underserved population.

Tornado Warning Guidance and Graphics: Implications of the Inclusion of Protective Action Information on Perceptions and Efficacy

10.1175/wcas-d-21-0097.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jeannette Sutton ◽

Laura Fischer ◽

Michele M. Wood

Keyword(s):

Protective Action ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Response Efficacy ◽

Protective Actions ◽

Tornado Warnings ◽

Ability To Act ◽

Populations At Risk ◽

Tornado Warning ◽

Types Of Information ◽

Action Guidance

AbstractEffective warning messages should tell people what they should do, how they should do it, and how to maximize their health and safety. Guidance essentially delivers two types of information: 1) information that instructs people about the actions to take in response to a threat, and 2) information about how and why these recommended protective actions will reduce harm. However, recent research reported that while automated tornado warnings, sent by the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center via the account @NWStornado on Twitter, included useful information about the location of the threat, the potential impacts, and populations at risk, it failed to provide content that would contribute to successful protective actions. In this experimental study we investigate how the inclusion and presentation of protective action guidance affects participant perceptions of a tornado warning message and their perceived ability to act upon the information (i.e., self- and response-efficacy). We find that the inclusion of protective action guidance results an increase in the participants’ understanding of the message, their ability to decide what to do, and their perceived self- and response-efficacy. Knowing how to take action to protect oneself, and believing the actions will make oneself safe, are key motivators to taking action when faced with a significant threat. Future warning research should draw from other persuasive messaging and health behavior theories, and should include self- and response- efficacy as important causal factors. It should also look across additional hazards to determine if these outcomes differ by the length of forewarning and hazard type.

The Influence of Consequence-Based Messages on Public Responses to Tornado Warnings

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society ◽

10.1175/bams-d-13-00213.1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 96 (4) ◽

pp. 577-590 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Joseph T. Ripberger ◽

Carol L. Silva ◽

Hank C. Jenkins-Smith ◽

Mark James

Keyword(s):

Central Region ◽

Protective Action ◽

Impact Categories ◽

Severe Thunderstorm ◽

Warning Message ◽

Tornado Warnings ◽

Potential Impact ◽

Tornado Warning ◽

To Receive ◽

The Relationship

Abstract The Central Region Headquarters of the National Weather Service (NWS) recently launched an experimental product that supplements traditional tornado and severe thunderstorm warning products with information about the potential impact of warned storms. As yet, however, we know relatively little about the influence of consequence-based messages on warning responsiveness. To address this gap, we fielded two surveys of U.S. residents that live in tornado-prone regions of the country. Both surveys contained an experiment wherein participants were randomly assigned a consequence-based tornado warning message and asked to indicate how they would respond if they were to receive such a warning. Respondents that were assigned to higher-impact categories were more likely choose protective action than respondents assigned to lower-impact categories. There was, however, a threshold beyond which escalating the projected consequences of the storm no longer increased the probability of protective action. To account for this, we show that the relationship between consequence-based messages and protective action depends on the type of action being considered. At lower levels of projected impact, increasing the expected consequences of the storm simultaneously increased the probability that respondents selected a “shelter in place” or “leave residence” option. At higher levels of projected impact, this relationship changed—increasing the projected consequences of the storm decreased the probability that respondents would shelter in place and increased the probability that they would leave their residence for what they perceived to be a safer location. In some severe storm situations, this behavior may increase rather than decrease the risks.

Household Preparedness for Tornado Hazards: The 2011 Disaster in DeKalb County, Alabama

10.1175/wcas-d-12-00046.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 345-358 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Philip L. Chaney ◽

Greg S. Weaver ◽

Susan A. Youngblood ◽

Kristin Pitts

Keyword(s):

Protective Action ◽

Safety Information ◽

Mobile Home ◽

Protective Action Decision Model ◽

Dekalb County ◽

Tornado Hazards ◽

Household Preparedness ◽

Tornado Warning ◽

Definition Of ◽

Abstract This paper contributes to existing knowledge on factors that influence adoption of hazards adjustments for tornadoes. The Protective Action Decision Model provides the theoretical basis for the study, which was conducted after the 2011 disaster in DeKalb County, Alabama. Most of the 124 survey participants had received public safety information on how to prepare for a tornado, understood the definition of a tornado warning, had participated in a tornado drill, and had a plan for seeking shelter. Few owned a NOAA weather radio or had a tornado-resistant shelter on the premises. Demographic analysis found that older residents (60+ yr) and households without children were significantly less likely to have participated in a tornado drill, lower income residents were significantly less likely to have a tornado-resistant shelter on the premises or a plan for seeking shelter, and mobile home residents were significantly less likely to have a plan for seeking shelter. Locus of control and past experience were not significantly associated with adoption of hazards adjustments, but suspected reasons for these results are discussed. Many plans that involved evacuating to another location included excessively long travel distances, and several mobile home residents planned to seek shelter inside their residence. Failure to adopt effective preparedness actions in each of these areas could serve as a situational impediment to making an appropriate protective action decision when a tornado threatens the household. The results identify aspects of household preparedness where there is opportunity for improvement, which would reduce vulnerability and enhance community resilience.

Geographic Specificity, Tornadoes, and Protective Action

10.1175/wcas-d-11-00047.1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 145-155 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Danielle E. Nagele ◽

Joseph E. Trainor

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Protective Action ◽

Public Understanding ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Emergency Plan ◽

Or Education ◽

The Public ◽

System Data ◽

Tornado Warning ◽

Abstract In 2007, the National Weather Service (NWS) began using storm-based warnings (SBWs) rather than countywide warnings. Some analysts have examined the effects of this change, but little empirical research has yet to focus on the public response. Using a random digit dialing sample and a computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) system, data were collected that focused on protective action decision making in counties that were affected by a severe storm or tornado warning. Based on those data, the following paper examines the influence of these new storm-based warnings on protective action decision making by the public. While a significant relationship between being inside the warning polygon and taking protective action was not found, the authors were able to conclude that polygon size is an important factor. Given these mixed results, it is suggested that future work on storm-based warnings focus on the warnings’ dissemination and reception, as well as the optimization of the polygons themselves. It is suggested that the complexities associated with communicating with these risk areas complicate the dissemination process and create difficulties in the public understanding of the warning. The possible need for optimization is reinforced by the significance of the track proximity and polygon-sized variables. In addition, a smaller polygon resulted in protective action, in particular, sheltering. With regard to the preparedness and sociodemographic variables, the study’s results agreed with previous findings on the importance of a family emergency plan. Unlike earlier research this study did not find past experience or education level significant within the regression model and showed mixed results of gender.

Tornado Warning Trade-Offs: Evaluating Choices for Visually Communicating Risk

10.1175/wcas-d-13-00021.1 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 104-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

Kevin D. Ash ◽

Ronald L. Schumann ◽

Gregg C. Bowser

Keyword(s):

Protective Action ◽

Central Research ◽

Hazard Communication ◽

Tornado Warnings ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Rapid Dissemination ◽

Tornado Warning ◽

Color Scheme ◽

Probability Information ◽

Extreme Responses

Abstract Recent improvements in weather observation and monitoring have increased the precision of tornado warnings. The National Weather Service currently issues storm-based tornado warnings, and even more geographically specific warnings that include probability information are under development. At the same time, the widespread proliferation of smartphone and mobile computing technology supports the rapid dissemination of graphical weather warning information. Some broadcasters and private companies have already begun using probabilistic-style tornado warning graphics. However, the development of these new types of warnings has occurred with limited research on how users interpret probabilistic visualizations. This study begins filling this void by examining responses to color scheme and relative position using probabilistic tornado warning designs. A survey of university students is used to measure the level of perceived fear and likelihood of protective action for a series of hypothetical warning scenarios. Central research questions investigate 1) differences in responses across warning designs, 2) clustering of extreme responses in each design, 3) trends in responses with respect to probability levels, 4) differences in responses inside versus outside the warnings, and 5) differences in responses near the edges of the warning designs. Results suggest a variety of trade-offs in viewer responses to tornado warnings based on visual design choices. These findings underscore the need for more comprehensive research on visualizations in weather hazard communication that can aid meteorologists in effectively warning the public and spur appropriate tornado protection behaviors in a timely manner.

Determinant Factors in Personal Decision-Making to Adopt COVID-19 Prevention Measures in Chile

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18158131 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 8131

Author(s):

Karina Fernanda Gonzalez ◽

Maria Teresa Bull ◽

Sebastian Muñoz-Herrera ◽

Luis Felipe Robledo

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Decision Model ◽

Protective Action ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Protective Measures ◽

Protective Action Decision Model ◽

Exploratory Survey ◽

Relevant Variables ◽

Personal Decision ◽

The pandemic has challenged countries to develop stringent measures to reduce infections and keep the population healthy. However, the greatest challenge is understanding the process of adopting self-care measures by individuals in different countries. In this research, we sought to understand the behavior of individuals who take self-protective action. We selected the risk homeostasis approach to identify relevant variables associated with the risk of contagion and the Protective Action Decision Model to understand protective decision-making in the pandemic. Subsequently, we conducted an exploratory survey to identify whether the same factors, as indicated in the literature, impact Chile’s adoption of prevention measures. The variables gender, age, and trust in authority behave similarly to those found in the literature. However, socioeconomic level, education, and media do not impact the protection behaviors adopted to avoid contagion. Furthermore, the application of the Protective Action Decision Model is adequate to understand the protective measures in the case of a pandemic. Finally, women have a higher risk perception and adopt more protective measures, and in contrast, young people between 18 and 30 years of age are the least concerned about COVID-19 infection.

A Preliminary Look at the Social Perspective of Warn-on-Forecast: Preferred Tornado Warning Lead Time and the General Public’s Perceptions of Weather Risks

10.1175/2011wcas1076.1 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 128-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

S. Hoekstra ◽

K. Klockow ◽

R. Riley ◽

J. Brotzge ◽

H. Brooks ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lead Time ◽

Stated Preference ◽

The United States ◽

Public Understanding ◽

Lead Times ◽

Present System ◽

The Public ◽

Tornado Warnings ◽

Tornado Warning ◽

Weather Risks

Abstract Tornado warnings are currently issued an average of 13 min in advance of a tornado and are based on a warn-on-detection paradigm. However, computer model improvements may allow for a new warning paradigm, warn-on-forecast, to be established in the future. This would mean that tornado warnings could be issued one to two hours in advance, prior to storm initiation. In anticipation of the technological innovation, this study inquires whether the warn-on-forecast paradigm for tornado warnings may be preferred by the public (i.e., individuals and households). The authors sample is drawn from visitors to the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma. During the summer and fall of 2009, surveys were distributed to 320 participants to assess their understanding and perception of weather risks and preferred tornado warning lead time. Responses were analyzed according to several different parameters including age, region of residency, educational level, number of children, and prior tornado experience. A majority of the respondents answered many of the weather risk questions correctly. They seemed to be familiar with tornado seasons; however, they were unaware of the relative number of fatalities caused by tornadoes and several additional weather phenomena each year in the United States. The preferred lead time was 34.3 min according to average survey responses. This suggests that while the general public may currently prefer a longer average lead time than the present system offers, the preference does not extend to the 1–2-h time frame theoretically offered by the warn-on-forecast system. When asked what they would do if given a 1-h lead time, respondents reported that taking shelter was a lesser priority than when given a 15-min lead time, and fleeing the area became a slightly more popular alternative. A majority of respondents also reported the situation would feel less life threatening if given a 1-h lead time. These results suggest that how the public responds to longer lead times may be complex and situationally dependent, and further study must be conducted to ascertain the users for whom the longer lead times would carry the most value. These results form the basis of an informative stated-preference approach to predicting public response to long (>1 h) warning lead times, using public understanding of the risks posed by severe weather events to contextualize lead-time demand.

An Analysis of 2016-2018 Tornadoes and National Weather Service Tornado Warnings across the contiguous United States

Weather and Forecasting ◽

10.1175/waf-d-20-0241.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Evan S. Bentley ◽

Richard L. Thompson ◽

Barry R. Bowers ◽

Justin G. Gibbs ◽

Steven E. Nelson

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Rotational Velocity ◽

Radar Data ◽

Probability Of Detection ◽

False Alarms ◽

National Weather Service ◽

Low Level ◽

Tornado Warnings ◽

Tornado Warning ◽

Weather Service

AbstractPrevious work has considered tornado occurrence with respect to radar data, both WSR-88D and mobile research radars, and a few studies have examined techniques to potentially improve tornado warning performance. To date, though, there has been little work focusing on systematic, large-sample evaluation of National Weather Service (NWS) tornado warnings with respect to radar-observable quantities and the near-storm environment. In this work, three full years (2016–2018) of NWS tornado warnings across the contiguous United States were examined, in conjunction with supporting data in the few minutes preceding warning issuance, or tornado formation in the case of missed events. The investigation herein examines WSR-88D and Storm Prediction Center (SPC) mesoanalysis data associated with these tornado warnings with comparisons made to the current Warning Decision Training Division (WDTD) guidance.Combining low-level rotational velocity and the significant tornado parameter (STP), as used in prior work, shows promise as a means to estimate tornado warning performance, as well as relative changes in performance as criteria thresholds vary. For example, low-level rotational velocity peaking in excess of 30 kt (15 m s−1), in a near-storm environment which is not prohibitive for tornadoes (STP > 0), results in an increased probability of detection and reduced false alarms compared to observed NWS tornado warning metrics. Tornado warning false alarms can also be reduced through limiting warnings with weak (<30 kt), broad (>1nm) circulations in a poor (STP=0) environment, careful elimination of velocity data artifacts like sidelobe contamination, and through greater scrutiny of human-based tornado reports in otherwise questionable scenarios.

Heat adaptation measures in private households: an application and adaptation of the protective action decision model

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications ◽

10.1057/s41599-021-00907-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sabrina Katharina Beckmann ◽

Michael Hiete ◽

Michael Schneider ◽

Christoph Beck

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Decision Model ◽

Protective Action ◽

Hierarchical Regression ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Heat Adaptation ◽

Private Households ◽

Protective Action Decision Model ◽

Heat Risk ◽

AbstractExtreme heatwaves will occur more frequently and with higher intensity in future. Their consequences for human health can be fatal if adaptation measures will not be taken. This study analyses factors related to heat adaptation measures in private households in Germany. During the summer months of 2019, indoor temperatures were measured in over 500 private households in the City of Augsburg, Germany, accompanied by a survey to find out about heat perception and adaptation measures. Hypotheses deducted from the Protective Action Decision Model were tested using one-way ANOVAs, regression analysis and in the end a multiple hierarchical regression model. The results of the hypotheses tested imply an influence of knowledge and heat risk perception of heat adaptation behaviour and an influence of age on heat risk perception. The results of the regression model show an influence of the efficacy-related attribute, of age, indoor temperature, subjective heat stress and health implications to heat adaptation behaviour. In the end, this study proposes adjustments to the PADM according to the results of the hierarchical regression analysis.

Food Worry in the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Public Health Reports ◽

10.1177/0033354920974666 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 003335492097466

Author(s):

Alina Engelman ◽

Raylene Paludneviciene ◽

Kathryn Wagner ◽

Katja Jacobs ◽

Poorna Kushalnagar

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

American Sign Language ◽

Hard Of Hearing ◽

Online Survey ◽

Service Providers ◽

Model Fitting ◽

The United States ◽

College Degree ◽

Food Shortages ◽

High Level

Objective The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID) pandemic has highlighted preexisting health disparities, including food insecurity, in the deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) population. We examined factors associated with food worry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We collected survey data on worry about food shortages, worry about contracting COVID-19, and concerns about DHH people staying home and being lonely from April 17 through May 1, 2020, via a bilingual American Sign Language/English online survey platform. The sample consisted of 537 DHH adults living in the United States. We examined the relationship between demographic characteristics and food worry. We used logistic regression and model fitting to predict the likelihood of experiencing food worry. Results The mean (SD) age of survey respondents was 47 (16), and 25% of the sample identified as people of color. Forty-two percent of survey respondents had a high level of food worry. Increased worry about contracting COVID-19 and concerns about DHH people staying home and being lonely among DHH younger adults or those without a college degree predicted food worry. Gender and race/ethnicity did not contribute to the model for food worry. Conclusions Food worry was explained by multiple, intersecting factors, including demographic variables, worry about contracting COVID-19, and concerns about loneliness. Interventions or programs implemented by DHH-serving organizations as well as government programs, social service providers, and food banks should be fully accessible to subgroups of DHH young adults without a college degree who are at risk for food insecurity.