EVACUATION BEHAVIOR IN RESPONSE TO NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ACCIDENTS∗

Abstract

Abstract A telephone survey of 2,595 households on Long Island, NY provides a data base for analyzing potential spatial behaviors in response to an accident at the Shoreham Nuclear Power Station in Suffolk County. These intended behaviors approximated the actual behaviors of Three Mile Island area residents during the general emergency at that plant in 1979. Using evacuations from natural and other technological hazards as a basis for comparison, we conclude that evacuations in response to nuclear power plant accidents are likely to be characterized by an extreme over-response to limited protective action advisories; this phenomenon needs to be considered in behaviorally-based radiological emergency response planning. Key Words: evacuation shadow phenomenonevacuation behaviorevacuation quartersevacuation planningShoreham Nuclear Power StationTMI accident Notes ∗We would like to acknowledge the funding provided for this study by the County of Suffolk, NY, Peter F. Cohalan, County Executive.