Abstract
This report provides a comprehensive overview of disaster management, socially vulnerable populations, and geographic information systems. Mapping at-risk populations using GIS shows promise for improving decision making across all phases of emergency management. The paper describes the context of each of these concepts, including national policies that lay the foundational framework for this thesis. These include multiple documents from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and other governmental partners and agencies that aim to provide guidance for disaster planning purposes, especially relating to socially vulnerable populations. The next section explains the methodology for the accompanied dashboards and StoryMap that were created in conjunction with the thesis. Finally, the thesis concludes with recommendations for future applications of GIS when it comes to mapping socially vulnerable populations to better serve these members of the community.
Semester/Year of Award
Fall 2025
Mentor
Dr. Chad S. Foster
Mentor Department Affiliation
Safety, Security, and Emergency Management
Access Options
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Honors Scholars
Degree Level
Bachelors
Department
Safety, Security, and Emergency Management
Presentation
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/cf1536389568460e9d0aa814ff628ee3
Recommended Citation
Linet, Madelynn H., "Mapping Social Vulnerabilities: Importance and Relevance in Disasters" (2025). Honors Theses. 1116.
https://encompass.eku.edu/honors_theses/1116
