Extreme Weather Events and Risk Communication Challenges in Central Appalachia: A Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract

This study inventories and identifies communication challenges faced by emergency management agencies in Central Appalachia as they engage communities in preparation, response and recovery efforts for extreme weather events (EWEs). Drawing on data from nine group discussions and guided by the Social Ecological Model, the analysis discerned an array of barriers to effective risk communication, originating from cultural, organizational, interpersonal and individual dynamics. It was found that a pervasive distrust of emergency agencies and broader climate governance, articulated through the notion of ‘mining,’ undermines organizational legitimacy. Conflicting messages from emergency sources with ambiguous or overlapping roles create confusion, numb and desensitize populations, and further erode source credibility. Poor internet and cellular connectivity constrain timely information delivery and exacerbate vulnerabilities. Additionally, the region's ingrained culture of ‘riding‐it‐out’, while a valuable source of organic resilience and self‐efficacy, is seen by some emergency managers as ‘stubbornness,’ which leads to misalignment in risk communication. This study re‐contextualizes these cultural attributes as essential ‘social capital’ and offers strategies to align communication practices and resources with local identity and agency needs. Findings contribute to culturally responsive approaches to participatory risk communication.