Evacuation decision-making: process and uncertainty.

The purpose of this study was to describe the processes of evacuation decision-making, identify and document uncertainties in the process and discuss implications for federal assumption of liability for precautionary evacuations at nuclear facilities under the Price-Anderson Act. Four major categories of uncertainty are identified concerning the interpretation of hazard, communication problems, perceived impacts of evacuation decisions and exogenous influences. Over 40 historical accounts are reviewed and cases of these uncertainties are documented. The major findings are that all levels of government, including federal agencies experience uncertainties in some evacuation situations. Second, private sector organisations are subject to uncertainties at a variety of decision points. Third, uncertainties documented in the historical record have provided the grounds for liability although few legal actions have ensued. Finally it is concluded that is liability for evacuations is assumed by the federal government, that concept of a "precautionary" evacuation is not useful in establishing criteria for that assumption