IndexWhat is vulnerabilityRisk perceptionThe role of trustHurricanes and risk perceptionWith the increase in natural disasters occurring in the world today compared to decades ago, the Individuals may perceive risk in different ways as a result of factors such as experience and trust. These different perceptions that individuals have regarding risk can have positive and negative effects and can create or contribute to an increase in the vulnerability of that individual or a community. While risk perception is based on different factors for each individual, there are ways to address negative effects and increase the overall perception of risk among the public as a whole. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay What is Vulnerability Vulnerability in the context of disaster management can be defined as “the reduced ability of an individual or group to anticipate, cope with, resist, and recover from the impact of a natural or disaster-induced hazard “The severity of a natural disaster depends both on the physical nature of the event and on the social nature of the populations affected by the disaster human factors that contribute to vulnerability are; wealth, education, governance, technology, age and gender. Risk perception is the process of collecting, selecting and interpreting signals about the uncertain impacts of events, activities or technologies they can come from direct experiences, such as witnessing a natural disaster, or from indirect experiences, such as reading about a natural disaster in the news. Individuals judge risk based on mental models and other psychological mechanisms internalized through social and cultural learning, these are reinforced by other communication processes such as media reports and influences from other individuals. An individual's perceptions may be different depending on the type of risk, social context and risk, and the individual's personality. The role of direct and indirect experience Direct experience can have both a positive and negative effect on risk perception. If an individual has direct experience with a natural disaster, he or she tends to overestimate the possible danger, while an individual without direct experience may underestimate the potential danger. Previous personal exposure to a natural disaster can provide an example of the threat and can demonstrate potential future risk. For this reason, previous personal experience may be positively associated with higher risk perception. An example of how lack of direct experience can influence an individual's risk perception comes from a study conducted on landslides and risk perception. The study included ten groups who were asked to take a survey. One group was made up of residents of Montrose, Australia. These residents were advised by Lillydale Shire that there was a high probability of a landslide occurring and a high probability of loss of life if a landslide occurred. Even though Montrose residents were aware of the high probability of a landslide occurring, they still viewed the landslide hazard as a low probability compared to travel risks (air travel, traffic accident, etc.). One reason is the lack of information on personal experience with the risk of landslides. Although there are positive effects deriving from direct experience onperception of risk, there are also examples of negative effects. Individuals who have been personally exposed to a natural disaster, but have not suffered property damage or personal injury, likely believe that a future disaster is unlikely to affect them and, as a result, their perception of risk decreases. Observing both the positive and negative effects that direct experience has on the perception of risk, it is highlighted that it is not the experience itself that shapes the individual's perception, but the severity of the personal consequences experienced with past events. Vicarious experiences include any source of media, education, and witness accounts of disasters. Vicarious experience can play a critical role in recalling previous personal experiences or vicarious experiences previously seen or heard, as risk perception and awareness, which are elevated immediately after a natural disaster, fade over time. A common practice essential for motivating individuals and communities to take protective measures is to help people remember the experience of a past natural disaster. This “window of opportunity” can be used in risk education and communication. The role of trust The role of trust is another important factor in the risk perception of natural disasters. In this context it is trust in scientific experts, authorities and the protective measures put in place. Trust is used as a method by individuals to reduce the need to make rational judgments based on known information by listening to and following what experts and authorities say. This may result in a reduction in uncertainty, but if an individual has a lack of trust or trust has been damaged, they may feel more at risk. An example of trust influencing individuals' risk perception is that if a community is protected by levees or dikes, in the case of flood protection, the individual's perception of the probability or severity of a flood decreases and, consequently, decreases also their willingness to prepare for the possibility of a flood. Most people believe that it is the responsibility of authorities and governments to protect residents. Hurricanes and Risk Perception There have been numerous hurricanes in the United States in recent months, the most recent being Hurricane Michael, which hit the Florida Panhandle on October 10th. 2018. Before Hurricane Michael hit land, mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders were issued in more than twenty-two counties on the Florida Golf Coast, while most people chose to heed the warnings and evacuate, others did not. The reasons for this can vary, from evacuation not being a financially viable option or other contributing factors, a false sense of security or a lack of trust in experts and authorities. When a mandatory evacuation order is issued, it may not be a viable option or may be difficult for people living below the poverty line, older adults, or people with disabilities. These personal constraints lead some individuals to compromise their personal safety unless outside help or resources are available. These constraints increase the vulnerability of these populations as well as people, such as first responders. For people living with limited financial resources, evacuation due to a natural disaster can be even more devastating. Individuals may choose to stay because they feel it is not worth leaving their homes due to financial stress and uncertainty. As a result, this increases their vulnerability and that of others. For..