In Case of Emergency
Empowering Texas communities with essential tools and knowledge for hurricane preparedness
The Problem
ROLE
Design operations, researcher, systems designer
SITUATION
Hurricanes and natural disasters are becoming more frequent in south Texas and the lack of preparation stems from underlying stigma. In response, I researched ways to encourage communities and families to prepare for disasters.
TASK
-
Research Texas disasters, relief, and preparation
-
Conduct interviews with individuals affected by natural disasters
-
Identify misconceptions of disaster preparation
-
Conduct a card sort of essentials during a hurricane
ACTION
-
Partner with H-E-B to leverage the confidence of Texans during hurricane scenarios
-
Create an all-in-one preparation kit for individuals, families, and pets
-
Design and prototype a high fidelity app to educate the community for disasters
RESULT
Leveraging H-E-B's Texas community support, we created a system that educates the community on disaster preparation, provides aid in all disaster scenarios, and can be adopted by businesses alike.
Research Phase
How might we identify pain points in the disaster preparation?
Brainstorming relief and preparation initiatives
TAKEAWAYS
1
America is unprepared for disasters
2
Disaster preparation is stigmatized
3
Community support is essential for disaster relief
AMERICA IS UNPREPARED
90%
of households in the United States are not adequately prepared for disasters
American Red Cross
71%
of respondents felt uninformed about the risks they face in their communities.
International Federation of Red Cross
THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE
The number of reported disasters has doubled over the past 40 years
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
AND WE REFUSE TO PREPARE
Disaster preparation is stigmatized through the media.
Doomsday Preppers, aired on National Geographic, showcases survivalists, or "preppers" who are preparing to survive various circumstances.
The series portrayed an extreme and sensationalized perspective on preparedness that may have contributed to misconceptions and fear rather than promoting practical and responsible preparation in America.
"Prep for Tuesday,
not for doomsday"
- Unknown
"Doomsday Preppers is absurd excess on display. What an easy target the prepper worldview is for ridicule."
- Neil Genzlinger for the New York Times
I REACHED OUT
and spoke to 15 individuals affected by natural disasters.
Relied on technology
78% of respondents relied on technology for communication and information during the disaster.
Did not evacuate
36% of respondents did not evacuate before or during the disaster they encountered.
Experienced a hurricane
Were affected by a tornado
Experienced an earthquake
FIRST HAND ACCOUNTS
from various hurricane survivors
"We all helped each other as neighbors"
"Friends and neighbors taking care of each other the best they could."
"...members of the community helped one another..."
"...people need to be educated on what they should have in case of emergencies, and how that will vary based on what your living situation looks like."
Ideation
How might we improve upon the current preparation efforts?
The community we need already exists...
SO WHAT'S HOLDING US BACK?
1
Optimism Bias
People believe that disasters won't happen or affect them.
2
Financial Barriers
Financial burden may prohibit individuals
from preparing.
3
Complacency
Lack of motivation or underestimating risks.
I reversed 90 assumptions surrounding disaster preparedness
This allowed me to explore why people might not prepare and imagine the future of preparation.
Ideation Findings
Preparation includes addressing our immediate needs beforehand, to ensure a safer environment during and after disasters.
An accessible disaster kit addresses diverse needs, promotes inclusivity, and ensures everyone has the means to respond effectively during emergencies.
Sort for your life!
I conducted a cart sort
Participants were told to rank items based on how useful it would be in a disaster scenario.
Then they had to select their top 10 items for survival.
these are the top 10 essentials
that surveyors felt crucial in disaster scenarios
Out of the items listed,
I stepped into the shoes of a stakeholder,
in an attempt to see what outlets a potential consumer would consult in the event of a disaster.
I discovered that
Grocery stores serve as a community center, general meeting place, and supply hub.
So what better place to meet them, than in a grocery store?
Texas is the second most populous state in the U.S
This increases the potential for human and economic impacts when disaster srikes.
Located right off the Gulf of Mexico,
H-E-B is a familiar and respected local entity in Texas with a strong community engagement.
H-E-B can meet the specific needs and challenges of the Texas community.
H-E-B network of retail locations provides convenient access points for distribution and can be leveraged for accessibility.
400+ stores in Texas
The company has expertise in providing essential supplies, including those needed during emergencies.
Expertise in Essentials
Creation
How might we leverage H-E-B's community position within Texas to bolster preparedness in hurricane prone areas?
A proactive approach to preparedness, providing a practical and efficient solution for individuals and communities to be ready for emergencies.
This page is still under construction.
Check back soon!