Hurrican season kicks off on June 1. But despite recent big hurricanes like Katrina, Rita and Ike, many people living in coastal areas are not close to being prepared to dealing with a hurricane.
A new Mason Dixon poll, sponsored by the National Hurricane Survival Initiative, found an alarming number of the 1,100 people surveyed were far behind on planning for a disaster.
* 83% had taken no steps to make their homes stronger.
* 66% have no hurricane survival kits, which include basics like food and water for three days.
* 53% don't know if their insurance policy covers hurricane damage.
Coastal states have been rehearsing their disaster plans.
Alabama EMA Director, Brock Long said the state is ready for a hurricane. Alabama's plan includes a massive coastal evacuation by reversing lanes on interstate 65.
But Long warned that the way individuals react will make a big difference in a smooth evacuation. “It's very important to heed the warnings early because when people wait until the last minute to evacuate they inundate the roadways and can be caught in severe traffic,” said Long.
Families also have other important planning they need to do. Long said, “The time to prepare is now. All disasters strike the local citizen first. So it's very important to have a plan to know how you're going to communicate with your loved ones.”
Emergency managers say the "uh oh" factor will kick in for poor planners, but often only when a threat is imminent.
Chuck Lanza, a director with the Broward County, Florida EMA said, “I saw people really do it, when the big ones are coming, they get prepared."
Sociologists say the reason most people aren't prepared is just human nature. Procrastination.
But this year, emergency managers fear because of the economy, many people don't think they can afford to stock up.
Lanza said, "We'd like people to set aside a little bit of money and buy a little bit of the supplies that they need now and a little bit more every week as they get the money."
Officials say there’s a new aspect that could cause more destruction of property this season. Because of so many foreclosures, more homes may be damaged or destroyed because no one is there to put up the shutters.
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