47% Of East, Gulf Coast Residents Plan No Hurricane Precautions

[hatrack]

MIAMI -- "Most residents along the East and Gulf coasts don't plan to take even simple steps to protect themselves and their homes from hurricanes, despite the devastation caused by five hurricanes that struck the United States last year, according to a new poll. Fifty-six percent of those surveyed said they felt "not too" vulnerable or "not at all" vulnerable, according to a Mason-Dixon poll released Monday. And one in four would do nothing to prepare for a storm, even after a watch or warning was issued.

Last year four hurricanes struck Florida within six weeks. They were among six tropical storms and nine hurricanes that formed during the unprecedented 2004 season. Hurricane Alex also struck North Carolina. Overall, the hurricanes and tropical storms cost 117 lives in Florida and damaged or destroyed one in five Florida homes. Property losses were estimated at $42 billion.

Yet 47 percent of those surveyed had no disaster plan for the hurricane season that begins June 1 and runs through November, the poll found.

EDIT

A majority of those surveyed - 54 percent - thought masking tape could help stop windows from shattering, which is a myth. And 96 percent didn't know that garage doors were the structural element most likely to fail first in a hurricane. The poll also found that one in four residents believed they could evacuate flood-prone areas 30 minutes to an hour before a hurricane made landfall. "That is dangerous folly," said Max Mayfield, director of the National Hurricane Center. Flood-prone roads will likely become impassable, he said. Gridlock also could prevent a last-minute evacuation."

EDIT

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apus_story.asp?category=1110&slug=Hurricane%20Preparation%20Poll

[Burma Jones]

1. Well, someone has to win Darwin awards........

[followthemoney]

2. A nation of Chauncey Gardeners. When you see something you don't

like just press the buttons on your remote control

[Brotherjohn]

3. This is skewed to make it seem like we don't care. As an Ivan "survivor"..

... I will always take hurricanes more seriously than I used to (we're STILL dealing with repercussions). But in practice, right NOW, I'm not doing anything.

If you read down in the article though, 75% will take action if a warning or watch is issued. (although they phrase it as "1 in 4 would do nothing")

In practice, this is when you take action. There are several watches and warnings issued every year for any given stretch of coast. But you usually don't get hit (at worst, you might get a day of strong winds). Last year, for Ivan, we had already stocked up on much (canned goods, water, batteries, flashlights...) during the prior close call or two.

As for having a "disaster plan", well, very few have a specific "plan" written down or anything. But if you're smart and you live in a hurricane-prone area, you just know what to do. You walk around with a "plan" in your head. The stuff gets instilled in you every year (for some of us, from the moment you're born). It's not that hard. It's just inconvenient.

As to people who think they can evacuate a flood-plain area less than an hour before a hurriane hits (if it is a direct hit), then they DO deserve a Darwin award. Unfortunately, several people died here as a result of that foolish decision.

But most people here on the Gulf Coast take sensible precautions when the time is right. And there is always time if you pay attention. You keep your eyes and ears to the weather (or Weather Channel), and you can be completely ready and have a "plan", within a day, while the storm is still several days out.

[jpak]

4. When I saw Ivan coming - I got the hell out

When I made the decision to go, it was a Cat 5 with 162 mph sustained winds and 3 of the 5 models had it coming straight at Pensacola.

I packed up and left the Monday night before it hit - while the roads were still clear and there was ample gas available.

Glad I did too...I've been through post-hurricane-misery before and I don't ever want to go through another one again.

[Coastie for Truth]

5. The Volunteer Community will deliver - if needed - again

Volunteer Community ==

American Red Cross
FEMA Citizens Corps
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service/Amateur Radio Emergency Service
Salvation Army
Volunteer Fire Department
Civil Air Patrol
Coast Guard Auxiliary
Urban Search and Rescue
Southern Baptist Brotherhood
National Guard/Air National Guard
Society of Saint Vincent de'Paul

Neighbors Serving Neighbors -- The American Way

But help us help you

-7-10 days supply of food and water
-portable radio and batteries
-medications (and copies of your prescriptions)
-change of clothes, underwear, sox
-toilet kit
-car gassed up and in repair
-ham, CB, GMRS, or FRS radio (your cell phones may not work)

"Blizzard, Tornado, Earthquake Survivor
Hurricane Recovery Volunteer"

TOGETHER WE CAN SAVE A LIFE

[RegexReader]

6. but death toll won't be anything like

when New York City gets hit again like it did September 21, 1938. Complacency kills.


RegexReader
$USA =~ s/Republican/Democrat/ig;