Date of Award
2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Dean, Erin
Area of Concentration
Anthropology
Abstract
On August 13th, 2004, Hurricane Charley made a direct impact on the south-west coast of Florida. A category 4 storm, Charley devastated the unprepared coastal communities in Charlotte County, Fla. Nearly 20 years later, when Hurricane Ian took a similar path, we witnessed a region still rendered vulnerable by damage inflicted almost two decades earlier, get nailed again. Yet, somehow these communities fared much better than they did in 2004. Thus, studying the decisions made in the wake of the 2004 storm in the response stage may help us understand how and why particular areas were impacted differently by the 2022 storm. This difference can be attributed to not just the quirks of nature, but to the Post-Charley preparation and actions of citizen organizers and the efforts made to integrate government and civilian disaster response in Charlotte County. These actions include: the establishment of local coalitions and volunteer networks; public out-reach efforts; and pre-disaster mitigation strategies. Structured around the ethnographic interview, this thesis focuses on an examination of the role of localized civil society, and the importance of interactions and collaborations between its diverse array of actors, including institutions of local, state, and national government. The success of these interactions are the means by which the needs of victims are supported in the initial moments of relief, as well as setting the stage for the rest of the recovery process.
Recommended Citation
Baal, Kyla, "In the Luster of Flame, the Vulture Disguises Himself as the Phoenix: Climate Induced Catastrophe Response, Rescue, & Relief" (2023). Theses & ETDs. 6327.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/6327