Synopsis

This book explores how social, economic and political factors set the stage for Hurricane Andrew by influencing who was prepared, who was hit the hardest, and who was most likely to recover. Employing unique research data the authors analyze the consequences of conflict and competition on disaster preparation, response and recovery, especially where associated with race, ethnicity and gender.

Booknews

A dozen perspectives on how Miami prepared for, coped with, and responded to the August 1992 hurricane that severely damaged or destroyed most public buildings and rendered nearly 50,000 private residences uninhabitable. Questioning the assumption that the damage and recovery in such disasters are a function of the strength of the agent, they explore the social, economic, and political forces that influenced who was prepared, who was hit the hardest, and who was most likely to recover. They apply quantitative and qualitative methods to data gathered since the storm to analyze the consequences of conflict and competition, especially along familiar lines of race, ethnicity, and gender. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.