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Woodward Interviewed on NPR - the "Economic Shock" of Hurricanes


Dr. Doug Woodward Mass evacuations because of hurricanes result in "economic shock" to local economies, said Professor Doug Woodward in a National Public Radio (NPR) interview, which aired September 2.

With back-to-back hurricanes threatening U.S. coastlines, NPR reporter Dan Grech focused on the consequences of millions fleeing vulnerable areas (nearly 2 million people left New Orleans as Hurricane Gustav approached). Such an exodus creates "an economic shock," said Woodward. "Subject to shocks, people change their behavior, and it takes a certain amount of time before it gets back to normal."

If, as some scientists say, we are in a period of increased hurricane activity and mass evacuations become "the norm," Woodward said, "businesses would think twice about locating in the Southeast…To realize that every year, even if the big one doesn't occur, you still might have to evacuate…It certainly doesn't help our competitive advantage."

Grech cited one study that found that "40 percent of companies that stay closed for three days after a storm were out of business within three years."

Gail Crouch
September 2008