California citrus freeze of December 1998 : place, perception and choice : developing a disaster reconstruction model.

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Includes bibliographic references

Following a December 22-27, 1998, severe cold weather event in the lower San Joaquin River Valley in central California, the authors surveyed citrus growers to determine the relationship between locational, contextual, and perceptual factors and their intentions to modify their land use. Of the approximately 1,200 citrus growing operations in Fresno, Kern and Tulare counties, 182 responded to the mailed questionnaire. Though damage was extensive - over $700 million - it was not as severe as that caused by a 1990 freeze that hit the region. The article examines the relationship of the locational, contextual, and perceptual factors to the extent and distribution of damage and to the motivation of growers to act to reduce or prevent damage