Transdisciplinary Approach Toward Preparedness in a Mountainous Community in Central Taiwan and its Impact on Disaster Evacuation: A Case Study

Abstract

This study examined the main factor that helped residents of Xinshan Village—which is vulnerable to landslides and debris flow hazards—to react and respond to Typhoon Morakot in such a way that no casualties were reported during the severe event in 2009. When the typhoon hit, over 20 residential houses collapsed into a river and were washed away during the night. However, the locals were evacuated before the disaster struck, which was attributed to the timely actions and cooperation that had occurred between them with their village head and the local police. Apart from them, it was also found that the central government, local government, academics, and engineering firms had played a crucial role that contributed to the preparedness of the locals to respond to the natural disaster. Specifically, assistance and resources were provided to them according to the disaster mitigation act, detailed risk reduction plans were drawn up at the town and village levels, drills and evacuation practices were held, and an early warning system was established and its robustness was tested. Prior to the 2009 typhoon, the practice of a transdisciplinary approach (TDA) toward disaster risk reduction in Xinshan Village had fostered its disaster preparedness. Consequently, TDA was identified as a key factor that had contributed to the successful evacuation of its residents before the village was hit by the typhoon.