Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Effective early warning systems (EWS) are critical for minimizing disaster-related losses; however, their success largely depends on community response behavior. This study investigates how individuals respond to early warning messages and identifies factors influencing delayed or ignored action. A structured survey was conducted among 2357 respondents from rural and urban areas to assess response time, trust levels, and decision-making patterns following warnings related to cyclones, floods, or storms. Descriptive analysis reveals that 42% of respondents reported taking immediate action upon receiving a warning, while 35% delayed action and 23% reported ignoring warnings in certain situations. The findings indicate that a significant proportion of the population does not respond promptly, highlighting potential gaps in risk perception, trust, and communication effectiveness. Delayed responses were commonly associated with perceived low severity of the threat, previous false alarms, transportation barriers, and social influence. The results suggest that improving clarity of warning messages, strengthening public trust, and ensuring logistical support could significantly enhance evacuation compliance. This study contributes to disaster risk reduction research by providing empirical evidence on behavioral response patterns and offers policy recommendations for strengthening community-centered early warning systems.</p>