Long-term community impacts of a technological disaster: The Valdez oil spill (Alaska)

This research presents an analysis of the long-term community impacts of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on the community of Cordova, Alaska. Community data on social impacts collected 40 months after the spill (1992) were used for this study. First, comparisons are made between Cordova and a control community outside of the impact area to determine if there are differing levels of collective stress. This is accomplished through a review of previous technological disaster studies to determine social disruption and stress characteristics which have been identified throughout the literature. Using these characteristics and the conceptual framework of the "corrosive community," a model is produced that predicts social disruption and stress through specific demographic attributes of the community, by way of work disruption, family disruption, distrust, community desirability and litigation stress. The results indicate the complex impacts of technological disasters not only stem from the event, but are articulated through secondary disasters. The role of litigation and the resulting negative impacts from being involved in this activity are important for understanding how secondary disasters prolong the social impacts by technological accidents such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill.