Date of Award

4-6-2026

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Professor Jeannette Pope

Second Advisor

Professor Jennifer Everett

Third Advisor

Professor Christina Holmes

Abstract

Increases in the severity and frequency of natural disasters in the United States have highlighted the vast inequalities that low-income communities must be prepared to face and rapidly recover from. In the Southern US, this dilemma is prevalent, with a higher risk of flooding, hurricanes, and tornadoes due to increased exposure to natural disasters and climate-related events. These climate-induced issues have revealed a connection between environmental risks and socio-economic vulnerability. Climate gentrification occurs when lower-income communities are displaced to hazardous or vulnerable areas, while wealthier communities relocate to safer, more protected areas. Well-documented, large-scale disasters such as Hurricane Katrina (2005) and Harvey (2017) clearly demonstrate how post-disaster relief and recovery are disproportionately distributed for lower income high minority communities. Governmental agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) play a significant role in determining who will have access to safer evacuation routes, protection, and aid for rebuilding. In the majority of these cases and events, wealthier, predominantly white communities have greater access to evacuation routes, resources, and more resilient infrastructure to minimize the risks they face after a climate crisis. While they have access to more secure evacuation methods, lower-income communities are often left to handle disaster relief with little funding or support to rebuild their communities and homes. In this paper, I argue that climate gentrification in Southern U.S. territories is a structural consequence of environmental hazards and post-disaster relief and recovery planning. Under FEMA’s policies, wealthier socioeconomic classes and communities are often favored for relocation, even though they are less vulnerable to infrastructure issues. Whereas wealthier communities are prioritized, lower-income and marginalized groups experience a greater deal of risks, increased vulnerabilities, and continue to perpetuate cycles of displacement due to environmental injustice. A decreased reliance on FEMA’s policies and a shift toward local and non-governmental organizations are necessary to improve recovery for marginalized peoples and lower-income areas to prevent further exacerbation of social inequalities in the event of future natural disasters.

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