This study investigated the key factors inducing debris flow disasters and the community-based disaster prevention network in Youmu Village, Sanxia. In an analytic hierarchy process, historical debris flow events were found to be the factor with the largest weight, whereas exposure and vulnerability ranked highest for residents in the
debris-flow potential area and the autonomous community disaster prevention organization, respectively. Stakeholder
interviews revealed a bidirectional network in which the village chief was the central node; this arrangement fosters
social cohesion, enables the dissemination of information, and aids in evacuation initiation and post-disaster response
coordination. The present findings highlight the core elements of community resilience and the importance of autonomous disaster management in isolated areas. Because this was a single-case study, application of the findings to other communities should account for differences in population, terrain, and organizational structure to ensure external validity.
Key Words: Debris flow vulnerability factors, Autonomous disaster prevention, Resilient community, Analytic hierarchy
process (AHP)