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Assessing 2019 Hurricane Harvey Recovery in Aransas County, Texas Through Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2023

Carla Gutiérrez Tyler ,
Albesa Salinas ,
Angel Guevara ,
Herminia Alva ,
Mauro Ruiz  and
Emilie Y Prot
Carla Gutiérrez Tyler*
Affiliation:
Texas Department of State Health Services. Public Health Region 11, Harlingen, TX, United States
Albesa Salinas
Affiliation:
Texas Department of State Health Services. Public Health Region 11, Harlingen, TX, United States
Angel Guevara
Affiliation:
Texas Department of State Health Services. Public Health Region 11, Harlingen, TX, United States
Herminia Alva
Affiliation:
Texas Department of State Health Services. Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, Austin, TX, United States
Mauro Ruiz
Affiliation:
Texas Department of State Health Services. Public Health Region 11, Harlingen, TX, United States
Emilie Y Prot
Affiliation:
Texas Department of State Health Services. Public Health Region 11, Harlingen, TX, United States
*
Corresponding author: Carla Gutiérrez Tyler, Email: carla.tyler@dshs.texas.gov
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Abstract

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to assess recovery of Aransas County, Texas households 2 years after Category 4 Hurricane Harvey made landfall.

Methods:

A 2-stage cluster sampling method used to conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) on May 3 - 4 and May 18 - 19, 2019. A household-based survey was administered through face-to-face interviews, selected through systematic random sampling using weighted analysis of the county population. Field teams collected 175 surveys (83.3% completion rate).

Results:

Approximately 57% households experienced repairable damage, 23% had destroyed homes, and 19% had minimal damage. 38% stated having ‘no need,’ 18% needed financial assistance, 16% needed household repairs, and over 8% had behavioral health needs. 17% experiencing a behavioral health concern were seeking services. Of the 35% of households who did not seek services, 14% felt there was no need, and 4% were not aware of the resources available.

Conclusions:

Households reported high levels of preparedness, but gaps remain in evacuation intention and behavioral health care access. CASPERs are effective in assessing long-term recovery of communities impacted by major disasters.

Keywords

epidemiologic methodspublic health practicecommunity health planninghurricane
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 17 , 2023 , e366
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

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