Psychosocial and Physical Challenges from a Natural Hazard: Implications for Resilience in the Black Community
Abstract
This study explored the impact of Hurricane Michael within the Black community in Bay County and surrounding regions in the Florida Panhandle. It is imperative to investigate the challenges and resilience factors among historically marginalized populations to assist with empowering the community to rebuild and regain a sense of normalcy. Focus groups and interviews were conducted to expose victims’ lived experiences with accessing community, federal, and local resources after Hurricane Michael. Thematic network analysis was developed to present a visual representation of the psychosocial, environmental, and social justice issues encountered by the Black community following Hurricane Michael. A weblike depiction of the data yielded a global theme of psychosocial and psychological trauma; organizing themes based on resiliency, environmental, social justice, and mental health issues among adults and children; and basic themes regarding racism, discrimination, and ineffective assistance from local and federal agencies. The crisis intervention theory provides a framework for organizing pertinent resources within Black communities after severe natural hazards. Findings indicate the need for culturally competent counselors who understand the challenges and resilience of the Black community and to assist with rebuilding efforts.
Practical Applications
This study explored the impact of Hurricane Michael 2 years after landfall with 25 members of the Black community. Through qualitative data in the form of interviews and focus groups, interviewees described the racism they encountered in their recovery, as well as the mental health support they received from the Black community. Contractors routinely refused to work on their damaged houses, preferring to work on houses owned by White residents, or they did not complete jobs. Thus, 2 years later some Black families still were living with no roofs or in severely damaged homes. FEMA was of little help because they required formal deeds to prove home ownership, and Black families in that area passed their homes from generation to generation, starting with an allocation from a plantation. Interviewees reported that Black churches and school still were not rebuilt. Some Black residents and businesses left the area to rebuild elsewhere. The recommendations of this study are to (1) change FEMA rules to recognize intergenerational home ownership and provide assistance to apply; (2) rebuild Black schools, businesses, churches, and individual homes; and (3) monitor racist practices by contractors.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are proprietary or confidential in nature and may be provided by the corresponding author only with restrictions. The deidentified quantitative data and the qualitative data are available with restrictions.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the grant support from The Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation to author Ai, the principal investigator for this study. The last two authors contributed to study design, implementation, and data collection with the fourth and fifth authors. The first three authors implemented data analyses. All authors contributed to conceptualization of findings and writing for publication.
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Published In
Natural Hazards Review
Volume 24 • Issue 2 • May 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 8, 2021
Accepted: Sep 26, 2022
Published online: Jan 6, 2023
Published in print: May 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Jun 6, 2023
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