Following two mild storm seasons, Americans in Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast states are complacent and unprepared for hurricanes, according to a new Mason-Dixon poll released May 29, 2008.

The poll, commissioned by American Initiatives, shows some residents of hurricane-vulnerable states say they will not evacuate and prefer to weather storms at home. Many residents lack disaster plans, and many are still misinformed about how to protect themselves and their families during a storm. The poll shows even many of the residents who live within 30 miles of the coast fail to take proper precautions.

The poll results were released during a news conference held at the National Hurricane Center, Miami, FL. The survey was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research of 1,100 adults in Atlantic and Gulf coast states between May 6 and May 12, 2008. The margin for error is plus or minus 3 percent.

Among the poll results emergency management officials find most alarming are:
• 54% don’t feel vulnerable to a hurricane or related tornado or flooding
• 56% have no family disaster plan
• 67% have no hurricane survival kit
• 85% have taken no steps to make their homes stronger since the last hurricane season
• 13% said they might not or would not evacuate even if ordered to do so, leaving thousands of residents at grave risk in the path of any given storm.

At the news conference, American Initiatives also launched its 2008 National Hurricane Survival Initiative. The initiative aims to educate residents living in hurricane-vulnerable states about the risks they face and the steps they must take to protect themselves and minimize damage. It is a partnership that includes the National Hurricane Center, The National Emergency Management Association and The Salvation Army. Corporate partners in the project include Plylox and Travelers Insurance.

The poll is one of the leading elements of the National Hurricane Survival Initiative. Other elements are an informative and interactive Web site, www.HurricaneSafety.org, and a 30-minute television program, “Hurricane Survival 2008.” The television program will be broadcast throughout hurricane season on more than 50 television network-affiliate stations and secondary broadcasts on cable and government access channels from Texas to Maine. Residents are encouraged to visit www.HurricaneSafety.org for a list of broadcast partners or to check their local listings for air dates and times.

KNOWLEDGE GAPS
The survey revealed residents of hurricane-vulnerable states still have significant gaps in their knowledge of hurricanes and storm preparedness, including:

• 68% didn’t know storm surge represents the greatest potential for a large loss of life from a hurricane, yet the rising waters can account for deaths as far inland as 20 miles

• 68% of residents also mistakenly believe most tornadoes occur in the eye wall or within three miles of the eye of the storm. In fact, tornadoes can result hundreds of miles from the eye of the storm, affecting residents far from the coast

• 79% do not know storm intensity at landfall is the least reliable forecasting projection, indicating they may not realize a Category 1 or 2 storm can become a Category 4 or 5 at landfall

• 95% didn’t know garage doors are the part of a home most likely to fail during a hurricane, yet garage doors can be easily strengthened at a modest cost with a reinforcement kit

• 56% still believe candles belong in survival kits. To the contrary, candles and kerosene lamps pose a fire hazard, and so emergency experts recommend flashlights instead

• More than half of those polled believed masking tape would keep windows from shattering, though masking tape actually offers no protection at all

INSURANCE CONCERNS
The poll revealed several concerns about the adequacy of homeowners’ insurance coverage:
• Nearly one in four may not have replacement coverage

• 45% said they have not reviewed their insurance policies with an agent within the last year, some in more than five years

• 38% of residents did not know their standard homeowner’s policies do not cover flooding

• 27% thought their homeowner’s insurance covered flood damage, and another 20% weren’t sure. In fact, flood damage is only covered if homeowners purchase a separate flood insurance policy.

IMPROPER, LATE PREPARATION
Emergency officials recommend taking steps to strengthen homes or businesses before storm season begins, yet the poll found that residents wait too long to make last-minute preparations to their structures:

• 20% indicated they would not begin to prepare their homes until hurricane conditions are 24 to 36 hours away, and another 30% said they would not prepare their home until hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours

• 20% surveyed believe it is the government’s responsibility to provide essential supplies in the first few days after a hurricane, and 7% aren’t sure who should be responsible. Experts recommend keeping supplies for at least three days on hand for each member of the family and buying those supplies long before a storm approaches.

The survey also found many residents will not take the proper safety precautions:
• 17% would not evacuate until a storm is 12 to 24 hours from landfall

• 26% would travel as far as possible, trying to outrun the path of the storm. These factors increase the chances of evacuees getting stuck in traffic gridlock. Emergency management officials recommend arranging to stay, in advance, with the nearest friend or relative outside the evacuation area or going to the nearest certified shelter

• 12% of residents surveyed are responsible for an elderly or disabled person, yet a quarter of them say they have no plan for that person in the event of a hurricane.

While the poll findings showed two out of three residents lack a survival kit, most respondents possess many of the elements of a kit, but those items—including a flashlight, batteries, first aid kit, radio and other items—are not in a single location quickly accessible during an emergency.

POST-HURRICANE RISKS
Finally, the danger is not over after a storm passes. Typically, more deaths occur after a hurricane due to downed power lines, unstable trees and flooding. Disaster experts warn residents should wait until officials declare an area safe before they return, yet:

• 53% of those polled said they would not wait for word from officials before heading home

• 29% would return to a hurricane-ravaged area as soon as the storm passed, putting themselves and their loved ones at risk.