Virginia State University Emergency Management Project

This week there are two core readings that explain the rationale behind the two available Social Vulnerability Index tools. The first, the SOVI from the University of South Carolina (Cutter et al., 2003). The second, the CDC Social Vulnerability Index (Flanagan et al., 2011). Each tool uses different demographic and other data to define and measure social vulnerability. How are they similar and different? Are there any differences that stand out to you as significant?

Part II: Using the Tools

This is a chance to poke around the tools (CDC and SOVI) and the data available from the Census Bureau regarding Social Vulnerability to prepare for the project.

Use the links below to examine a County in the U.S. and consider its Social Vulnerability scores and information available from the Census Bureau. Select your County and get started in the links below.

Report out your findings and consider what aspects of social vulnerability should the local emergency management agency be most concerned about. Examine the website your selected County and examine other search mechanism to find government or community organizations that operate in the area of vulnerability.

Social Risks & Vulnerability Project Links:

Review Social Vulnerability Index materials: http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/geog/hvri/sovi®-0
Review CDC Social Vulnerability Index https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/placeandhealth/svi/index…
Review United States Census information at https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PS…
***For those that are up to the challenge you could search for the Hazard Mitigation Plan for your county of choice for a more detailed look at hazards. My County plan can be found here https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/V… if you look on document page 82 you will see a chart of hazard rankings…most plans have something similar. You can also look at how your County of choice is covered in the given state’s Hazard Mitigation Plan***