Take cover now ! Communicating about catastrophic danger before,during and after a tornado in rural areas: A case study

Abstract

This study examines social media discourse surrounding the EF-4 tornado that struck Rolling Fork, Mississippi, on March 24, 2023, killing 25 people and causing widespread destruction in a socially vulnerable community. Using the Social Amplification of Risk Framework, the analysis explores how online conversations evolved across three disaster phases. Findings indicate that preparedness discussions centered on damage predictions and severe weather forecasts, while response-phase mentions emphasized assistance requests and emotional appeals.

Keywords

risk communication social media case study severe weather tornado news

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