PERCEPTIONS OF VULNERABILITY TO FLOODING, HURRICANES, AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON GRAND ISLE, LOUISIANA’S ONLY INHABITED BARRIER ISLAND

This study used in-depth interviews of permanent residents on Grand Isle, Louisiana, a remote barrier island, to better understand their perceptions of structural flood measures, non-structural responses to flooding and hurricanes, and perceptions of vulnerability to flooding, hurricanes, and climate change on a remote barrier island-Grand Isle, Louisiana. Residents\u27 perceptions regarding the various structural measures implemented by the federal, state, and local government appeared mixed. Non-structural responses to flooding risks implemented at the household, community, state, and federal level continue to strengthen resiliency on Grand Isle. According to interviewees, aspects of environmental, rural, and economic vulnerability on Grand Isle impact islanders daily, yet residents continue to fight the environmental adversities as well as the flood management conflicts with government agencies. Findings from this study may be relevant to people and rural coastal communities in other parts of the United States and the world facing climate change-related storms and flooding