Abstract

In this study, we implement a set of probit models to analyze the determinants of household hurricane evacuation choice for a sample of 1,355 households in Florida. This article contributes to the literature by accounting for two issues normally neglected in previous studies; namely, regional variability and within season variability. The empirical results suggest that households living in risky environments (mobile home and flooding areas) are more likely to evacuate. In addition, households with children and those who have experienced the threat of a hurricane also display higher probabilities to evacuate. Opposite results are found for homeowners and households with pets. Regional differences are also clearly demonstrated with households in southeast Florida less likely to evacuate than those in Northwest Florida.

Key words: Hurricane, evacuation, household behavior.