Surveys, focus groups reveal what Puerto Rico residents want to know after 2020-21 earthquakes

Newswise —

Following the earthquake sequence that occurred in Southwest Puerto Rico during 2020-2021, researchers surveyed emergency responders and residents in affected communities to determine the information necessary for them to prepare for a future earthquake.

During door-to-door surveys and focus groups, residents expressed their desire for more accessible and detailed information about aftershock forecasts, as well as potential tsunami risks, according to a presentation given at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the SSA.

Jenniffer M. Santos-Hernández, who headed the research team from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, reported that residents emphasized the need for information that is customized to their specific locality.

According to Santos-Hernández, there is a perception among some emergency responders and seismologists that providing information about the probability of another earthquake could lead to panic. However, disaster research suggests that panic is a rare occurrence and should not be a major concern.

“This keeps [them] from disseminating aftershock forecasts,” she added, “but that’s precisely the information that people are seeking.”

One of the participants in the study said of a visualization of an aftershock forecast “that looking at this gives me peace,” Santos-Hernández noted.

Furthermore, the research uncovered that only 1% of those surveyed were familiar with the aftershock forecast products produced by the U.S. Geological Survey, despite it being the information they were seeking, as stated by Santos-Hernández.

Santos-Hernández also pointed out that residents expressed a desire for access to tsunami risk maps following earthquakes, which could be made possible through improved collaboration between multiple agencies and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The research team began work in 2020 to get local feedback on risk communication products produced by the USGS’ Earthquake Science Center and aftershock teams.

Santos-Hernández highlighted that the communities in the municipalities of Guayanilla, Guánica, and San Juan have valuable insights on transitioning to a culture of preparedness, as they have firsthand experience in dealing with earthquakes. "We want to learn from them on how to achieve that," she added.

Santos-Hernández and her colleagues shared prototype risk communication products with the residents to gather feedback on specific changes they would like to see in the visualizations. She noted that this feedback is essential for refining the communication products produced by the USGS.

The researchers have also gained insights into the behavior of the people affected by the 2020-2021 earthquake sequence. For example, many of those surveyed acknowledged the importance of having a flashlight readily available during emergencies. However, they suggested that the advice should emphasize keeping the flashlight close to the bed for quick access.

Santos-Hernández also shared that although some of those surveyed had planned to evacuate their structure during an earthquake, residents who directly experienced the earthquake in community meetings shared a different perspective. Some residents expressed gratitude for not attempting to move during the earthquake, as they realized that their staircase collapsed. This contrast between intentions and actions highlights the importance of promoting preparedness and overall safety.

Too often residents in Southwest Puerto Rico are left out of earthquake resilience research and preparedness programs, she noted.

Santos-Hernández emphasized that the research findings revealed a significantly different experience for the communities in the affected area compared to other areas in Puerto Rico. She also pointed out that by not paying sufficient attention to the earthquake risk in the region, there is a missed opportunity for learning, planning, and building capacity, which undermines overall preparedness efforts.

Santos-Hernández also noted that the research underscores the crucial role of scientists in risk communication. The findings suggest that when scientists actively engage in risk communication, people are more likely to listen and take action based on the information provided.

Santos-Hernández further explained that the survey findings indicated that people are more likely to take action if they receive information about the possibility of a stronger earthquake from a scientist. This highlights the importance of scientists actively engaging in risk communication to promote earthquake preparedness and safety.

Santos-Hernández pointed out that in the aftermath of the 2020-2021 earthquakes, some residents were more likely to reinforce the structures of their homes and businesses after receiving information about future earthquake risks from a scientist. This further emphasizes the critical role of scientists in communicating earthquake risks and promoting preparedness efforts among the affected communities.