Storm Risk Communication and Behavior Survey Residents Summary Report

Transcription

1 Residents Summary Report Storm Risk Communication and Behavior Survey Residents Summary Report Pasquotank County (N = 71, margin of error = +/- 12%) Participant Characteristics Survey participants are predominantly married (63%), female (69%), with no children living at home (55%). Their median age is 50-65; median education level is a 2-year degree from a community or junior college; and median range of household income is $50,000 - $74,999. The racial composition of the sample is 72% white, 25% African American or black; 2% Asian and 2% mixed. We asked about the areas (relative to risks) and types of housing in which participants live. Respondents reported that: Area Type Housing type 26% live in a storm surge zone 79% live in houses 24% live in areas with a high risk 18% live in mobile homes of flooding 29% live in areas with a high risk of wind damage (For additional information, see Tables R3-PSK R15-PSK) 3% live in apartments, townhouses, or other structures Weather Emergency Information Sources Television. When a hurricane is threatening, 96% of people responding to a question about television use say they consult television sources daily to several times per hour. Respondents who reported on the type of television service they have indicated that 62% have cable and 41% have satellite. The most frequently consulted television sources cited by participants indicating preferences include WTKR (22%), WAVY (21%), and The Weather Channel (19%). Of those reporting, 12% get information from public access channels. Information provided by television was rated excellent (37%), very good (44%), or good (14%) by those who rated it. Radio. When a hurricane is threatening, 63% of people responding to a question about commercial radio use say they consult radio sources daily to several times per hour; 38% report that they never use radio, though 78% say they have a radio that can operate when the power is out. A variety of radio sources are consulted (see Table R23-PSK). Information from commercial radio was rated excellent (30%), very good (32%), or good (30%) by those who rated it. When we asked about NOAA weather radio, 58% of those responding to the question say they never use it. Internet. When a hurricane is threatening, 56% of people responding to a question about internet use say they consult the internet daily to several times per hour. Those who told us about their preferences most frequently consult the Weather Channel website (40%) and the NOAA website (8%). Internet information was rated excellent (35%), very good (43%), or good (14%) by those who rated it. Telephone. When we asked people about their access to telephone services, 92% of the respondents reported that they have land-line phones and 79% have cell phones; 49% have text messaging capability but only about 26% report that they receive text alerts. Alert and Emergency Notification. When we asked whether people receive information from alert services or emergency notification systems, of the 89% of people responding to the question, 52% reported receiving alerts: 57% from television, 11% from radio, and 11% from local county sources. Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 1

2 Residents Summary Report Social Networks. We asked people about communication with other people in their social networks (family, friends and co-workers). About 73% of people responding to that question said that they speak with people in their networks daily or more frequently when severe weather threatens. Family and friends are most frequently consulted (73%) followed by co-workers (14%). Information from social network sources was rated excellent (27%), very good (33%), or good (29%) by people who rated them. Official Sources. We asked people whether they received information from official sources; 73% of people responding to the question report that they never receive information from official sources. Of the 27% who do, 30% report getting information from local law enforcement, and 10% from emergency services/preparedness groups. Information from official sources was rated excellent (10%), very good (29%), and good (33%) by those who rated it. (For additional information, see Tables R16-PSK R42-PSK) Knowledge and Preparedness, Risk Evaluation, and Behavior Knowledge and Preparedness. We asked participants about their preparedness and knowledge of important information for people in a storm-prone area: 55% reported that they have a disaster preparedness plan 71% know the location of an emergency shelter 81% know the evacuation route from their home. When an evacuation order is issued, 48% know that it includes their homes and 24% know that it does not cover their homes. The rest were less certain. Risk Evaluation. When they learn that a hurricane is threatening the area, 28% of people prepare to ride out the storm, 4% prepare to evacuate, and 68% seek information to help them decide if they should evacuate. Respondents were asked, Once you think your safety may be at risk, what are the most important considerations when deciding whether or not to evacuate? Respondents could cite more than one important consideration. The most common responses were the strength of the hurricane (91% of the respondents), the direction of the hurricane (81%), and whether there was a mandatory evacuation order (78%). When asked whether they were more likely to evacuate if an evacuation order is issued, 48% reported that they were much more likely to evacuate while 24% said that an evacuation order would have no effect on my decision. Past Evacuation Behavior. Of the people we surveyed, 21% have evacuated for at least one storm and 74% have decided not to evacuate for at least one storm. Most (89%) reported that they were always or almost always confident that they had made the right decision. Only 14% reported that most or all of their neighbors evacuated when a hurricane threatened their area. There were 20% who reported that there was a time when they wanted to evacuate but did not. Those who reported that they considered evacuating but did not were asked why they stayed. The most common answers were that they did not feel threatened (27%), did not realize how bad the storm would be (10%), or thought the storm was not severe or close enough (21%). Most (94%) respondents reported that evacuation orders were issued at about the right time. (For additional information, see Tables R43-PSK R62-PSK) Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 2

3 Businesses and Organizations Summary Report Storm Risk Communication and Behavior Survey Businesses and Organizations Summary Report Pasquotank County (N=21 margin of error = +/- 22%) Business and Organization Characteristics Businesses and organizations surveyed are predominantly locally owned with a single location (67%). Participating businesses or organization types include: service (14%) retail (10%) medical (10%) restaurant (29%) manufacturing (5%) construction (14%) non-profit(5%) church or faith-based nonprofit organization (5%) real estate (10%) Most (67%) are not dependent on tourism or recreation. Most have 50 or fewer employees (19% have 0 10; 43% have 11 20; 14% have 21 50). About 10% began operations in 2000 or later; 60% before 1990; and 10% before (For additional information, see Tables B2-PSK B7-PSK.) Weather Emergency Information Sources Most Used information Source. Of businesses and organizations responding to questions about information sources they consult when a hurricane is threatening, 29% of business and organizations rely most on television for information while 19% look to the Internet first. Another 14% rely most on messages from local emergency management. Based on additional interviews and focus groups, we found that a number of businesses are on emergency management list-serves or lists. Only 9% use commercial radio as their primary source and 5% consult satellite radio. New Media. When asked whether they would use a new technology, such as cell phone text alerts or social networking (for example Twitter or Facebook), if local emergency management adopted it to provide information about severe weather emergencies, 62% said they would; 14% said they would not use it; 19% were not sure. Information Networks. We were particularly interested in whether businesses and organizations interacted with other groups to exchange information during severe weather emergencies. When asked who they worked with during emergencies, the most common responses were the county emergency management group (38%) or the city or county government (38%). The other common responses were the Red Cross (14%) and the Chamber of Commerce (38%). Only 5% worked with another civic group, 5% with amateur radio groups, 19% with the Visitors Center, and 14% with the Board of Realtors. Another 24% reported that they did not work with any of these groups. When asked who they communicate with, the most common responses were their customers (62%) or clients (14%). Other responses were suppliers (29%), visitors to the area (14%), headquarters (14%), renters (10%) and patients (10%). One-third (33%) of businesses did not communicate with any of these groups. (For additional information, see Tables B8-PSK B12-PSK.) Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 3

4 Businesses and Organizations Summary Report Preparedness Plans, Perceptions of Risk Most businesses (71%) reported they had a plan for dealing with severe weather emergencies. Half (50%) of businesses with plans have had their plan for 10 years or more. Of those responding to a question about whether they ve used their plan, 40% said they have used their emergency plan for a severe weather event. When asked about the probability that a hurricane will seriously impact the area in the next 10 years, roughly half (52%) of the business owners placed the odds at 70% or greater. When asked about the characteristics of their plans, 67% of businesses reported that they provide plans to employees and 93% make plans available to their employees. Less than half (40%) reported that they have a written plan and share their plan with the local emergency managers. Few businesses had plans developed by a group of businesses (27%), a parent company (27%), a business association (29%) or their insurance company (13%). The most common way of communicating their emergency plan to employees was in a meeting (47%). Other common approaches were individually, one-on-one (40%), in a newsletter (20%), or during training (20%). The least common means of communicating the plan was by posting it on a website (7%). When asked what prompted their business to adopt the severe weather plan, the most common response was their experience with a severe weather event (40%). Forty percent reported that no specific event or circumstance caused their company to adopt a plan. Only 7% reported that their plan was developed in response to a law or regulation, 27% reported that it was required by their insurance and 7% required by the home office. Asked what their plan includes, the most common response was preparation for severe weather events (93%). Other common responses were: closing during an emergency (67%) re-entry and re-opening (80%) internal communications (80%) assisting employees to evacuate (80%) business continuity (67%) remaining open during an emergency (80%) using back-up power (80%) dealing with the public (53%) external communications (47%) long term recovery (60%) assisting employees to return to the area (60%) informing the public (33%) talking with the press (7%). (For additional information, see Tables B13-PSK B27-PSK.) Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 4

5 Storm Risk Communication and Behavior Survey Pasquotank County (PSK) (Note: Valid % calculates the percent of responses excluding items for which a value is missing or invalid. In tables that use the Valid %, the number of No/Invalid responses is indicated at the bottom of the table.) Participant Characteristics This section contains information about where survey participants live, including the types of homes and locations. Additional demographic characteristics of the sample, such as age, education, and income are also provided. Table R3- PSK. How many years have you lived in this county? 1 Year Or Less Or More Table R4-PSK. Which of the following best describes the place you are living? A House Apartment or Townhouse Mobile Home Other Structure Total No/Invalid Answers 4 Table R5-PSK. Is your home on a barrier island? No No/invalid answers 2 Table R6-PSK. Are you living in a designated storm surge zone ("storm surge" is the rise in sea level during a hurricane)? Yes No Total No/Invalid Answers 9 Table R7-PSK. Consider the risks from coastal flooding from a hurricane. In your opinion, is the home where you live located in a high-risk site, a medium risk site, a low-risk site or a very low-risk site? High Risk Medium Risk Low Risk Very Low Risk Total No/Invalid Answers 5 Table R8-PSK. Now consider the risks from wind damage from a hurricane. In your opinion, is your home located in a high-risk site, a medium risk site, a low-risk site, or a very low-risk site? High Risk Medium Risk Low Risk Very Low Risk Total No/Invalid Answers 5 Table R9-PSK. Are you currently married? Yes No Total No/Invalid Answers 4 Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 5

6 Table R10-PSK. What is your gender? Male Female Total No/Invalid Answers 3 Table R11-PSK. How much education have you completed? Did not complete high school High school graduate Some post high school but no degree year community or junior college degree year college degree Graduate degree Total No/invalid answers 4 Table R12-PSK. What is your current age? Over Total No/Invalid Answers 4 Table R13-PSK. Do you have any children living with you? Yes No Total No/Invalid Answers 4 Table R14-PSK. What is your race or ethnic group? White African-American Asian Mixed Races Total No/Invalid Answers 4 Table R15-PSK. What is your approximate house-hold income? Under $15, $15,000 $24, $25,000 $34, $35,000 $49, $50,000 $74, $75,000 $99, Over $100, Total No/Invalid Answers 24 Weather Emergency Information Sources This section contains information about the ways that people get information about severe weather and the sources they use. We also asked people to discuss the frequencies with which they consult sources and to rate the quality of information sources. Table R16-PSK. We asked people about their access to communication sources, devices, and services. The following table indicates which of those listed respondents indicate that they have or use. Respondents could choose more than one. Yes Number Yes Valid % Do you have cable TV? Do you have satellite TV? Do you have a radio that operates when the power is off? Do you have a land-line telephone? Do you have a cell phone? Do you have text messaging? Do you receive text alerts? Table R17-PSK. When a hurricane is threatening this county, how often do you get information from television? Never Daily Several times a day Every hour More than once/hour Total No/invalid answers 4 Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 6

7 Table R18-PSK. Which TV channels or stations do you use most frequently to get weather information? (People could indicate more than one source. The responses below include respondents first three cited sources. Number indicates the number of times a source was mentioned; percent indicates the portion of total responses represented by that source.) Local Stations (Station not specified) The Weather Channel WITN WNCT WAVY WTKR Other WWAY Government Access WVEC FOX CNN Total respondents % Table R19-PSK. How would you rate the information you get from television? Excellent Very Good Good Ok Total No/Invalid Answers 5 Table R20-PSK. When a hurricane is threatening, how often do you get information from NOAA weather radio? Never Daily Several times a day Every hour More than once an hour Total No/invalid answers 2 Table R21-PSK. How would you rate the information you get from NOAA weather radio? Excellent Very Good Good Ok Total No/Invalid Answers 42 Table R22-PSK. When a hurricane is threatening, how often do you get information from commercial or public radio stations? Never Daily Several times a day Every hour More than once an hour Total No/invalid answers 7 Table R23-PSK. Which radio stations do you use for information about severe weather? (People could list more than one.) Description/name of station Public Radio Don't know (which stations) Other Local Stations I Don't Listen To Radio/ I Watch TV WCMS WERO WKJX WERX WMGV WCXL WRSF WAFX WTKR WGAI WRNS Total No/Invalid Answers 40 Table R24-PSK. How would you rate the information you get from radio? Excellent Very Good Good Ok Poor Total No/Invalid Answers 27 Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 7

8 Table R25-PSK. When a hurricane is threatening, how often do you get information from newspapers? Never Daily Total No/Invalid Answers 5 Table R26-PSK. Which newspapers do you consult for weather information? Daily Advance VA Pilot Do Not Get/ Do Not Read/ N/A Other Daily Herald Total No/Invalid answer 39 Table R27-PSK. How would you rate the information you get from newspapers? Excellent Very Good Good Ok Poor Total No/Invalid Answers 39 Table R28-PSK. When a hurricane is threatening, how often do you get information from websites or the internet? Never Daily Several Times A Day Every Hour More Than Once An Hour Total No/Invalid Answers 3 Table R29-PSK. Which websites do you consult for weather information? (People who responded could choose more than one.) Websites Weather Channel NOAA N/A; Don t Use Internet, Don't Own Computer Wunderground Yahoo MSN Don't Know Weatherbug Local News Websites/Local TV Website AOL Google Wavy TV Embarq Total % Table R30-PSK. How would you rate the information you get from internet websites? Excellent Very Good Good Ok Poor Total No/Invalid Answers 34 Table R31-PSK. When a hurricane is threatening, how often do you get information from an alert service or emergency notification system? Never Daily Several Times A Day Every Hour More Than Once An Hour Total No/Invalid Answers 8 Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 8

9 Table R32-PSK. Which alert services or emergency notification systems do you use most? TV Radio N/A; don t know Local County Alerts, Local Weather Service, County Government Emergency Management/ EMS Pager Total No/Invalid Answers 43 Table R33-PSK. How would you rate the information you get from alert services or emergency notification systems? Excellent Very Good Good Ok Poor Total No/Invalid Answers 34 Table R34-PSK. When a hurricane is threatening, how often do you get information from your social network? Never Daily Several Times A Day Every Hour More Than Once An Hour Total No/Invalid Answers 5 Table R36-PSK. How would you rate the information you get from these conversations? Excellent Very Good Good Ok Total No/Invalid Answers 22 Table R37-PSK. When a hurricane is threatening, how often do you get information from local officials? Never Daily Several Times A Day Every Hour More Than Once An Hour Total No/Invalid Answers 9 Table R38-PSK. How would you rate the information you get from local officials? Excellent Very Good Good Ok Poor Total No/Invalid Answers 50 Table R35-PSK. Who do you talk to the most? Neighbors Family And Friends Co-Workers Don't Know Church members Other Total No/Invalid Answers 19 Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 9

10 Table R39-PSK. Which local officials do you hear from the most? Police/ Sheriff/ State trooper/ Hwy Patrol Emergency Services/ Network/Personnel/ Mgmt Team/ Preparedness Groups/ Hurricane Committee TV/ Scanner/ Internet/ Radio County Officials/ County Mgmt/ County Emergency Mgmt/EMS N/A; don t know Fire Dept Other News/ News Reporters Schools Total No/Invalid Answers 51 Table R40-PSK. When a hurricane is threatening, how often do you get information from state or national officials? Never Daily Several times a day More than once an hour Total No/invalid answers 10 Table R41-PSK. How would you rate the information you get from state or national officials? Excellent Very Good Good Ok Total No/Invalid Answers 54 Table R42-PSK. Which state or national officials do you hear from the most? TV N/A; don t know Governor National Weather Service NC Emergency Preparedness Radio Total No/Invalid Answers 56 Knowledge and Preparedness, Risk Evaluation, and Behavior This section includes data about respondents decisions to evacuate or stay when faced with a threat from severe weather including the factors that influence decisions. Data also include responses to questions about respondents preparedness, situational knowledge, and perceptions of risks based on location. Table R43-PSK. Have you ever decided to evacuate? Yes No Total No/Invalid Answers 1 Table R44-PSK. How many times have you evacuated while living in this county? None Total No/Invalid Answers 1 Table R45-PSK. Once you think your safety may be at risk, what are the most important considerations when deciding whether or not to evacuate? (People could indicate more than one.) Consideration Strength of the hurricane Past experience with hurricanes Direction the hurricane is going Having a place to stay for you and your family Having a way to transportation Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 10

11 Consideration Having a way to take your pets How much work it is to pack up and go someplace else Having the money to pay for evacuation related expenses Fear that my house will be vandalized Fear that I will not be allow back after the hurricane passes What the neighbors are doing The information provided by the mass media Whether there was a mandatory evacuation order or not Whether the utilities (water, gas, etc) get cut off or not Whether the media people are leaving or not Other Flooding Safety of family, friend, self and/or pets I trust in God Bringing important documents Table R46-PSK. Have you ever decided not to evacuate when a hurricane threatened this county? Yes No Total No/Invalid Answers 6 Table R47-PSK. Why didn't you leave? (People could indicate more than one reason.) Reason Couldn't miss work/school Family wanted to stay Did not know how bad it would be Roads closed (or very busy/traffic) Costs too much to evacuate No place to stay Needed to protect my property Concern over returning after the storm Did not feel threatened/ felt safe/ live on high ground/no danger/no need/ not necessary Storm not severe/close enough; path didn't look like it would hit No reason Other Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 11

12 Table R48-PSK. How many times have you decided not to evacuate while living in this county? Or More Total No/Invalid Answers 36 Table R49-PSK. Has there ever been a time when you wanted to evacuate but did not? Yes No Total No/Invalid Answers 20 Table R50-PSK. When you decide whether or not to evacuate, are you confident that you have made the right decision? Always Almost Always Usually Sometimes Never Total No/Invalid Answers 7 Table R51-PSK. Have you ever been threatened by a hurricane while living somewhere else? Yes No Total No/Invalid Answers 1 Table R52-PSK. How many hurricanes have you lived through while living outside of this county? Or More Total No/Invalid Answers 50 Table R53-PSK. Do you have a disaster preparedness plan? Yes No Total No/Invalid Answers 2 Table R54-PSK. When you learn that a hurricane is threatening this county, what is your usual response? I get prepared to ride the storm out I get information to decide if I should evacuate or ride the storm out I get prepared to evacuate Total No/invalid answers 3 Table R55-PSK. Are evacuation orders usually issued too early, about the right time or too late? Too Early About The Right Time Too Late Total No/Invalid Answers 22 Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 12

13 Table R56-PSK. When an evacuation order is issued, are you more likely to evacuate? Much more likely More likely A little more likely It has no effect on my decision Total No/Invalid Answers 9 Table R57-PSK. When a hurricane threatens this county, do your neighbors evacuate? All or almost all of them Most of them Some of them A few of them None of them Total No/invalid answers 22 Table R58-PSK. When an evacuation order is issued, do you know if it includes your home? I know it covers my home I think it covers my home but I am not sure I don't know if it covers my home I think it does not cover my home but I am not sure I know it does not cover my home Total No/invalid answers 2 Table R59-PSK. Do you know the location of an emergency shelter close to you? Yes No Total No/Invalid Answers 3 Table R60-PSK. Do you know the evacuation route from your home? Yes No Total No/Invalid Answers 3 Table R61-PSK. If someone wanted to find more information about shelters or evacuation routes, do you know where they could get this information? Yes No Total No/Invalid Answers 8 Table R62-PSK. Where would you suggest people look for information about evacuation routes and emergency shelters? Source TV Internet Police, Sheriff, Hwy Patrol Town hall/ City hall Emergency Organizations Radio Newspaper News Media Red Cross Chamber Of Commerce/ Town Commerce Phone book WITN Church Salvation Army Total No/Invalid Answers 30 Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 13

14 Businesses and Organizations Survey Results Tables Storm Risk Communication and Behavior Survey Businesses and Organizations Survey Results Tables- Pasquotank County (PSK) (Note: Valid % calculates the percent of responses excluding items for which a value is missing or invalid. In tables that use the Valid %, the number of No/Invalid responses is indicated at the bottom of the table.) Business and Organization Characteristics This section contains data about the types of businesses and organizations that participated in the survey including, sector, size, time in business, and other factors. We also asked about the number of storms the businesses and organizations have experiences. Table B5-PSK. In what year did your business start operating in its current location? before Total Missing/Invalid Answer 1 Total respondents 21 Table B2-PSK. Which one of the following best describes your business or organization? Service Retail Medical Restaurant Manufacturing Construction Non-Profit Church/Non-profit (religious) Real Estate Table B3-PSK. Is your business or organization one or more of the following? (Indicate all that apply.) Locally owned, single location Locally owned, multilocation 4 19 Owned by an entity out of the area 4 19 A franchise 4 19 Table B6-PSK. How many people does your business or organization employ? LESS THAN TO TO TO TO Table B7-PSK. Has your business or organization experienced any severe storm while at your current location? (Indicate all that apply.) Data are number and percent of businesses that report experiencing each storm. Floyd (1999) Isabel (2003) Fran (1996) Dennis (1999) Hanna (2008) Table B4-PSK. Is your business primarily, partially or not at all dependent on tourism or recreation? Partially Not At All Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 14

15 Businesses and Organizations Survey Results Tables Weather Emergency Information Sources This section contains data about the ways that businesses and organization get information about severe weather, the sources they use, and the people they share information with. We also asked about attitudes toward adoption of new technologies and suggestions for improving communication. Table B8-PSK. From what sources do you receive severe weather information? (Indicate all that apply.) Television Radio (commercial or public) Internet Local emergency management Word of mouth (co-workers, customers, family, etc.) NOAA Weather Radio Text messages or other alert visa cell phone, land line or pager Newspaper Other local businesses 4 19 Business group or association (i.e., Chamber of Commerce, professional assn) Satellite radio or subscriber service Other weather radio Other Table B9-PSK. Does your business or organization provide information about weather emergency situations to any of the following? (Indicate all that apply.) Customers Clients Suppliers Visitors to the area Headquarters Renters Patients None of the above Table B10-PSK. When your business or organization closes for a severe weather event, what (event, information, signal, or other) triggers that decision? Storm category or severity 3 20 Evacuation orders or EM information 3 20 Weather report Safety NWS warning Damage or no electricity Other businesses close Total No/invalid answer 6 Total respondents 21 Table B11-PSK. If local emergency management adopted a new technology such as cell phone text alerts or social networking (such as Twitter or Facebook) to provide information about severe weather emergencies, would you use it? Not answered Yes No Unsure 4 19 Table B12-PSK. What s the one information source that you rely on most for making plans at work related to severe weather? Television Local emergency management Internet 4 19 Radio (commercial or public) 4 19 Other Satellite radio or subscriber service Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 15

16 Businesses and Organizations Survey Results Tables Preparedness Plans, Perceptions of Risk This section contains data about emergency preparedness plans used by businesses and organizations including whether they have a plan, how it came to be developed, what it covers, and how it is shared. Data also include information about decision making for evacuation or staying and businesses and organizations collaboration with and attitudes about other groups and agencies. The last table includes attitudes about and suggestions for improving local emergency communication practices. Table B13-PSK. Does your business or organization currently have a plan for dealing with severe weather emergencies? YES NO Table B14-PSK. How long have you had a plan? 2 years years years years years years 3 25 Longer than 10 years 3 25 Total No/Invalid Answer 9 Total respondents 21 Table B15-PSK. Which of the following prompted your organization to prepare a plan? (Indicate all that apply.) Experience with a severe weather event 6 40 Nothing specific; don't know 6 40 Required by law or regulation Required by insurance company or other stakeholder Required by home office Table B16-PSK. Is your emergency plan (Indicate all that apply): Available to employees Provided to employees Formal (written) 6 40 Informal (not written) 9 60 Provided to or shared with local emergency managers 6 40 Used by a group of businesses Developed or provided by a parent company Developed or provided by a business association Developed or provided by an insurance company Table B17-PSK. How do you communicate the plan to others in your business or organization? (Indicate all that apply) Individually, or one on one 6 40 In a meeting In a newsletter, memo, or other internal 3 20 communication In training 3 20 On a website Table B18-PSK. What does your plan cover? (Indicate all that apply.) Preparation for severe weather events Closing during an emergency Re-entry and reopening Internal communication procedures Assisting employees to evacuate Business continuity Remaining open during an emergency Using back-up power Dealing with the public External communication procedures Long term recovery 9 60 Assisting employees to return to the area 9 60 Informing the public Talking to the press Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 16

17 Businesses and Organizations Survey Results Tables Table B19-PSK. Did you have input or advice from local emergency management in preparing your plan? YES NO UNSURE 3 20 Total Missing/Invalid Answer 6 Total respondents 21 Table B20-PSK. Have you needed to use your emergency plan for a severe weather event? YES 6 40 NO 9 60 Total Missing/Invalid Answer 6 Total respondents 21 Table B21. Which of the following influences your business decisions about whether to stay or evacuate during a storm? Please rate these influences as very important, somewhat important, unimportant. B21a-PSK. Cost to the business Very Important Somewhat Important Unimportant B21b-PSK. Evacuation orders Very Important Somewhat Important Unimportant B21c-PSK. Your or employees home situations Very Important Somewhat Important Unimportant Total respondents B21d-PSK. Staffing (need employees at the business during an emergency) Very Important Somewhat Important Unimportant B21e-PSK. Protection of the business Very Important Somewhat Important Unimportant B21f-PSK. Public needs Not Answered Very Important Somewhat Important Unimportant B21g-PSK. Re-entry Not Answered Very Important Somewhat Important Unimportant Table B22-PSK. Do you or your organization work with any of the following during weather emergencies? (Indicate all that apply.) County Emergency management group City or county Government Red Cross Chamber of Commerce Other civic group Visitors Center 4 19 Amateur radio group Board of Realtors None of the above Table B23-PSK. What is your assessment of the general level of emergency preparedness in your local area? Excellent Good Adequate Lacking Very poor Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 17

18 Businesses and Organizations Survey Results Tables Table B24-PSK. How confident are you that local emergency management has made sufficient plans and preparations for severe weather? Very confident 4 19 Confident Somewhat confident 4 19 A little confident Not at all confident 4 19 Table B25-PSK. What do you think the probability is that a hurricane will seriously impact your area within the next 10 years? Table B26-PSK. What makes you think so? Probability/history Location on the coast We're due Personal experience 3 20 It's inevitable Cycle of weather patterns Total Missing/Invalid Answer 6 Total respondents 21 Not Answered Table B27-PSK. How could communication be improved to help businesses like yours better prepare for and recover from the next severe weather event here? No Answer; don't know; not sure; no clue/idea Things are fine as they are; satisfied with EM and/or media; no improvement needed; things are working More/better use of technologies: use ; new media; alert systems; automatic notification; improve websites; add cell phone alerting; reverse 911; fax Other Closer contact with emergency management; more contact with EM Conduct drills, practices, table-tops, meetings, training; provide more education and updates about preparedness Have a plan; prepare before the storm Use a siren-type alert; more on-the-ground communication when power is out Make available more detailed information about storm surge, winds, and other data points; improve forecasting Hurricane Risk Perception and Emergency Communication Page 18