Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7223-9768

Advisor

Pricope, Narcisa

Committee Member

Ambinakudige, Shrinidhi

Committee Member

Mendez, Gina R.

Committee Member

Raczynski, Krzysztof

Date of Degree

12-12-2025

Original embargo terms

Visible MSU Only 1 year

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Campus Access Only

Major

Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Geosciences

Abstract

Flood resilience in Mississippi is constrained by limited institutional capacity, unstable funding, and uneven readiness across communities. This study identified barriers to flood resilience planning through qualitative research and developed a Readiness Gaps Index (RGI) that combines socioeconomic and institutional indicators. Three versions of the index were constructed using both additive and Principal Component Analysis (PCA)–based weighting approaches. Spatial analyses revealed an uneven distribution of high readiness gaps across the state, with higher flood risk and readiness gaps intersecting in the Delta, Southwest, and Central Mississippi, among other areas. The coastal regions appeared as relatively stronger capacity communities despite high flood hazard risk. The findings of overlay analysis indicated that about one-third of counties (36.6%) and tracts (37.4%) face both high flood risk and low readiness. The RGI provides a place-based framework for prioritizing interventions and guiding actions toward a more resilient Mississippi.

Sponsorship (Optional)

Office of Research and Economic Development, College of Arts and Sciences

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