Fewer Than One in Five U.S. Gulf and East Coast Residents Feel 'Very Prepared' for Hurricane or Flood

Following the most devastating hurricane season in U.S. history, only 18 percent of adult residents living in the U.S. Gulf and Southern East Coast states, from Texas to Delaware, say their family is "very prepared" for a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or flood, according to a recent survey commissioned by The Home Depot and the American Red Cross as part of a
three-year partnership to increase preparedness.

The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, also found that only 37 percent of Gulf and Southern East Coast residents are "concerned" or "very concerned" that they and their families will be in danger due to a hurricane or flood during hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30).

Additional survey findings include:

-- 31 percent say they do not know how to protect their family and home from a hurricane.

-- 55 percent do not have a disaster supplies kit, and 47 percent do not have an evacuation plan in case of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or flood.

-- Only 40 percent are more concerned about the possibility of being impacted by a hurricane or flood now than they were three years ago.
JB