Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Geography, Geology, and Anthropology

First Advisor

James Speer

Second Advisor

Susan Berta

Third Advisor

Jay Gatrell

Abstract

Hazard researchers define a hazard as a threat to people and their belongings (Cutter 2001). An adaptation, for the purposes of this research, is any alteration, physical or behavioral, made by a person in which the person is better able to survive in their "hazardous" natural environment. The challenge facing individuals and communities is the ability to adapt to these hazards so as to continue with normal everyday life. People living near a waterway are faced with flooding, which becomes a hazard when it alters everyday social structures. The purpose of this study is to identify flood hazard adaptations in a local community along the Ohio River and examine the underlying reasons as to why people choose to adapt to this environment rather than permanently relocate. Written surveys were distributed to the residents at Bushman's Lake to determine flood adaptations and to explore the reasons people chose to remain in their flood prone environment. Observations also revealed several of the flood adaptations such as elevated structures, utilities, and living quarters as well as private floodwalls. Responses on completed surveys indicated that only 38 percent of the respondents knowingly made an adaptation to continue living in this floodplain, these adaptations predominantly being physical adaptations. Although only 38 percent of the respondents claimed to have made some adaptation, an additional 54 percent of the respondents made what constitutes an adaptation without realizing it. The completed surveys also indicated that people preferred to stay in their environment because of multiple reasons including scenery, recreation, lifestyle, private and safe community, community activities, and because of the low risk of major flooding.

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