Skip to main content
Article
Risk Perceptions, Race, and Hurricane Katrina
The Howard Journal of Communications (2009)
  • Patric R Spence, University of Kentukcy
  • Kenneth Lachlan, University of Connecticut
  • Jennifer A Burke
Abstract
This study examined differences across race and income in responses to warning messages associated with Hurricane Katrina. Surveys were administered to Katrina evacuees who had been relocated throughout the country, investigating perceptions of the seriousness of the crisis, motivation to evacuate, and preparations
for the storm. Results suggest differences between Whites and non-Whites along these lines. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for considering race and poverty in audience responses to crisis messages, and the need to consider marginalized subpopulations in future crisis communication research.
Keywords
  • crisis communication,
  • hazard,
  • Hurricane Katrina,
  • outrage
Disciplines
Publication Date
2009
DOI
DOI: 10.1080/10646170903070035
Citation Information
Patric R Spence, Kenneth Lachlan and Jennifer A Burke. "Risk Perceptions, Race, and Hurricane Katrina" The Howard Journal of Communications Vol. 20 Iss. 3 (2009) p. 295 - 309
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/patric_spence/47/