  Community formation in socio-spatial human networks is one of the important
mechanisms for ameliorating hazard impacts of extreme weather events. Research
is scarce regarding latent network characteristics shaping community formation
in human mobility networks during natural disasters. We examined human mobility
networks in Harris County, Texas, in the context of the managed power outage
forced by Winter Storm Uri to detect communities and to evaluate latent
characteristics in those communities. We examined three characteristics in the
communities formed within human mobility networks: hazard-exposure heterophily,
socio-demographic homophily, and social connectedness strength. The analysis
results show that population movements were shaped by socio-demographic
homophily, heterophilic hazard exposure, and social connectedness strength. The
results also indicate that a community encompassing more high-impact areas
would motivate population movements to areas with weaker social connectedness.
Hence, the findings reveal important characteristics shaping community
formation in human mobility networks in hazard response. Specific to managed
power outages, formed communities are spatially co-located, underscoring a best
management practice to avoid prolonged power outages among areas within
communities, thus improving hazard-exposure heterophily. The findings have
implications for power utility operators to account for the characteristics of
socio-spatial human networks when determining the patterns of managed power
outages.
