Logistics of hurricane evacuation in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

This study examines household hurricane evacuation logistics—the activities and associated resources needed to reach a safe location and remain there until it is safe to return—during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Evacuation logistics variables include evacuation route information sources, evacuation departure dates, vehicles taken, evacuation routes and destinations, travel distances and times, shelter accommodations, and costs of transportation, food, and lodging. This study confirmed previous findings that evacuees take multiple cars, rely on personal experience and traffic conditions to choose their evacuation routes, and are most likely to choose the homes of friends/relatives as their shelter accommodations. However, this study also produced new data on evacuation distances, durations, and costs—as well as associations with demographic and situational variables that are associated with household evacuation logistics. In addition, this study provides additional data indicating that common assumptions about evacuation route choice are incorrect. More research is needed to understand evacuees’ choices of ultimate destinations and evacuation routes.

► Contrary to common assumptions, evacuees rely on past experience more than enroute conditions.
► People make minimal use of preimpact written materials such as evacuation maps.
► Many carless evacuees carpooled and left no later than the rest of the evacuees.
► Most people stay with friends/relatives or in hotels/motels rather than public shelters.
► Demographic variables (e.g., gender, age, income, ethnicity) are generally poor predictors of evacuation logistics variables.