This is a study of social networks and community response to a natural disaster. It will survey officials and a random sample of residents in an area of South Louisiana recently devastated by hurricane Andrew, to learn the roles played by informal and formal social structures in shaping individuals' actions before, during, and immediately after the storm. In particular, individuals in highly dense networks are predicted to behave very differently from those in more extensive networks, for example in how quickly they evacuated their homes. Furthermore, individuals may use different portions of their social network to seek different kinds of aid. The study employs well-developed techniques for collecting network data, and it will analyze them with appropriate statistical methods. The hurricane offers a practically unique opportunity to examine human behavior under extreme conditions, extending the knowledge social scientists have gained in research on more usual conditions. Well grounded in standard sociological theory, this study promises significant scientific gains. But it also will offer insights to help community leaders communicate and provide social services more effectively in times of crisis.
