Tallahassee, Florida - June 1, 2012 -

The full survey can be found in PowerPoint format above

“Results for Leon County are not significantly different from results statewide,” claims Phillip Downs, Ph.D., who has conducted hurricane preparedness studies through out Florida as well as in all coastal states from Texas to Massachusetts.

“About one in five residents would not evacuate even in the face of a Category 5 hurricane (winds over 155 miles per hour).”

Most Leon County residents are prepared for a hurricane:

76% have enough non perishable food for 3 days
86% have a flashlight or lantern that will last 3 days
85% have a 3-day supply of medicines
68% have a battery powered radio
76% know where important documents (such as wills, insurance policies) are so they can quickly access them
82% have an outdoor grill for cooking

Leon County residents are less prepared for a hurricane in these areas:

38% have enough drinking water for 3 days
21% have a generator with 3-days of fuel

Evacuation Plans

While 95% of residents believe it would be safe to stay in their homes if a Category 1 hurricane hit, only 26% think it would be safe if a Category 3 storm hit.
81% of residents would evacuate if ordered to do so by emergency management officials.
Over half who would not evacuate named their pets as the reason for not doing so.

22% of families would not evacuate until 12-24 hours before the projected landfall of a Category 3 hurricane
17% would not ever evacuate in the face of a Category 3 hurricane
Percentages who would evacuate in different storms:
77% - Category 5 hurricane
42% - Category 3 hurricane
23% - Category 1 hurricane

Disaster Plans & Survival Kits

Leon County residents are more prepared for hurricanes now compared to 2011.

58% of families have disaster survival kits – up from 53% last year
Most families store their disaster survival kits in a drawer, closet or filing cabinet.

55% of families have disaster plans – up from 54% last year
Only 13% of families have a written disaster plan - up from 5% in 2011

Other findings

93% of residents claim it is their personal (not government) responsibility to ensure they have food, water, medicines, shelter, etc. after a hurricane

21% of residents have recently strengthened their homes against hurricanes