Examining social, physical, and environmental dimensions of tornado vulnerability in Texas.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a vulnerability model that captures the social, physical, and environmental dimensions of tornado vulnerability of Texas counties.


METHODS
Guided by previous research and methodologies proposed in the hazards and emergency management literature, a principle components analysis is used to create a tornado vulnerability index. Data were gathered from open source information available through the US Census Bureau, American Community Surveys, and the Texas Natural Resources Information System.


METHODS
Texas counties.


RESULTS
The results of the model yielded three indices that highlight geographic variability of social vulnerability, built environment vulnerability, and tornado hazard throughout Texas. Further analyses suggest that counties with the highest tornado vulnerability include those with high population densities and high tornado risk.


CONCLUSIONS
This article demonstrates one method for assessing statewide tornado vulnerability and presents how the results of this type of analysis can be applied by emergency managers towards the reduction of tornado vulnerability in their communities.
Department of Public Administration, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas.
Laura
L
Siebeneck
D004189:Disaster Planning; D004190:Disasters; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011156:Population Density; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012306:Risk; D012931:Social Environment; D013781:Texas; D055869:Tornadoes