Assessment of Public Shelter Users’ Satisfaction: Lessons Learned from South-Central Texas Flood

Abstract

As major disasters increasingly continue to displace people every year, sheltering evacuees is becoming a major challenge for planners and emergency managers. The increasing volume of evacuations and the number of people involved pose unique challenges for developing effective evacuation plans, especially with regard to effective use of public shelters. Despite the importance of public shelters, little empirical research has been done on why most disaster evacuees tend to avoid them. This study examines this long-standing question, focusing on factors that may predict public-shelter users’ satisfaction. Regression analysis is used on data from a survey conducted in Switchback, South-Central Texas, following a devastating flood in 1998. Results suggest perceived quality of shelter and level of education are among the most important predictors of public-shelter users’ satisfaction. Findings of this case study are discussed in light of how to best plan and manage public shelters.