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Municipalities' Preparedness for Weather Hazards and Response to Weather Warnings

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  • Kaddour Mehiriz
  • Pierre Gosselin

Abstract

The study of the management of weather-related disaster risks by municipalities has attracted little attention even though these organizations play a key role in protecting the population from extreme meteorological conditions. This article contributes to filling this gap with new evidence on the level and determinants of Quebec municipalities’ preparedness for weather hazards and response to related weather warnings. Using survey data from municipal emergency management coordinators and secondary data on the financial and demographic characteristics of municipalities, the study shows that most Quebec municipalities are sufficiently prepared for weather hazards and undertake measures to protect the population when informed of imminent extreme weather events. Significant differences between municipalities were noted though. Specifically, the level of preparedness was positively correlated with the municipalities’ capacity and population support for weather-related disaster management policies. In addition, the risk of weather-related disasters increases the preparedness level through its effect on population support. We also found that the response to weather warnings depended on the risk of weather-related disasters, the preparedness level and the quality of weather warnings. These results highlight areas for improvement in the context of increasing frequency and/or severity of such events with current climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaddour Mehiriz & Pierre Gosselin, 2016. "Municipalities' Preparedness for Weather Hazards and Response to Weather Warnings," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(9), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0163390
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163390
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    Cited by:

    1. Johann Jacob & Pierre Valois & Maxime Tessier, 2021. "Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict the Adoption of Heat and Flood Adaptation Behaviors by Municipal Authorities in the Province of Quebec, Canada," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Kaddour Mehiriz & Pierre Gosselin & Isabelle Tardif & Marc-André Lemieux, 2018. "The Effect of an Automated Phone Warning and Health Advisory System on Adaptation to High Heat Episodes and Health Services Use in Vulnerable Groups—Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-13, July.

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