Maintaining the status quo: understanding local use of resilience strategies to address earthquake risk in Oklahoma

ABSTRACT

Earthquakes have become more common in Oklahoma. In the face of new hazards, previous studies suggest that communities should incorporate resilience strategies into their planning in order to cope with emerging hazards. Due to their novelty, particularly in relation to other hazards in the state, we know little about how emergency managers are planning for earthquakes. This research uses in-depth interviews to explore how key stakeholders in local governments are adjusting to this newfound risk across the state. In general, participants describe utilising strategies that reinforce the status quo, rather than building resiliency in response to the shaking. We conclude with recommendations for how local governments can build more resilient communities when faced with new hazards.

KEYWORDS:

• Oklahoma earthquakes
• disaster mitigation
• hazard adjustment
• emergency management
• resilience

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (M) is developed by Drs. Wood and Neumann. The Mercalli scale is a scale of earthquake intensity ranging from 1 = Not felt to 10 = Extreme (United State Geological Survey 2018).

2. Authors also coded for inductive, data-driven, categories, which are beyond the purview of this project.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the College of Arts and Sciences, Oklahoma State University, USA.

Notes on contributors

Ray HsienHo Chang

Ray Hsienho Chang is an assistant professor in the division of engineering technology at the Oklahoma State University, where he conducts research on the Incident Command System, disaster response and Fire Service Administration. His aim is to use his practical background and postgraduate studies to bridge the gap between academics and practitioners.

Alex Greer

Alex Greer is an assistant professor in the college of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity at SUNY Albany. Alex conducts interdisciplinary, mixed methods research on a number of topics related to disaster science. His research interests include hazard adjustments, relocation decision-making processes and organisational culture.

Haley Murphy

Haley Murphy is an assistant professor in the Division of Engineering Technology at Oklahoma State University. Her research focuses on collaboration between nonprofit organisations, religious organisations and government agencies, particularly after disasters.

Hao-Che (Tristan) Wu

Hao-Che (Tristan) Wu is an assistant professor in the Division of Engineering Technology at Oklahoma State University. His research focuses on disaster information use, household disaster response, perceptions of environmental threats and GIS applications.

Steven Melton

Steven Melton was a graduate student at Oklahoma State University and is currently an emergency management specialist working for the federal government in Denton, Texas, where he conducts program research focusing on disaster survivor experiences with federal government relief programs and services.