Using Mixed-Methods to Understand Community Vulnerability to Debris Flows in Montecito, CA

More communities around the world are living in hazard-prone areas. These communities are susceptible to natural hazards and negative impacts, which can be mitigated by adopting Disaster Risk Reduction measures that take into account an assessment of vulnerability. However, vulnerability studies can be limited and often do not take a spatio-temporal approach. In this study, we applied a spatio-temporal approach to the case of Montecito, CA, in order to better understand the variables that make a community vulnerable and to identify those who are the most vulnerable. In 2018, Montecito was heavily impacted by debris-flows resulting in material and human losses. Our results showed that informal workers, residents of voluntary evacuation areas, and renters were most vulnerable, and the main aspect that contributed to their vulnerability was a lack of understanding of debris-flow risk. Moreover, local authorities failed to use historical data to communicate and educate the community before the event to reduce the overall community vulnerability and rebuilding process is changing the community vulnerability.