Six in 10 Americans Ready to Deal With a Natural Disaster

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

PRINCETON, NJ -- In recent weeks, tornadoes, floods, and fires have spread destruction across the United States -- and the start of the Atlantic hurricane season is less than a month away. A recent USA Today/Gallup poll finds most Americans report being ready to deal with a natural disaster should one happen in their local communities. The public also believes local hospitals and emergency service providers are prepared in the event of a natural disaster, but does not believe the federal government is. Those who live in areas of the country more prone to natural disasters are somewhat more likely to say they are ready to deal with one should it happen. 

The April 13-16 poll was conducted before many of the recent disasters occurred. It finds 60% of Americans saying they are personally ready to deal with a natural disaster should one happen where they live. Most Americans also believe their local hospitals (62%) and their local emergency responders (68%) are ready. 

But only 31% believe the federal government would be prepared to deal with the effects of a natural disaster. This negative assessment could be attributable to memories of the government's poor response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, as well as the more general highly critical views of the government, evident in low job approval ratings for the president and Congress. 

Southerners and Midwesterners are more likely to say they, personally, are ready for a natural disaster than are those living in the Northeast or West. That could be an outgrowth from the fact hurricanes are more likely to affect the South and tornadoes, the Midwest. 

When it comes to assessing government readiness, Democrats and independents are unlikely to say the federal government (headed by a Republican presidential administration) is ready to deal with a natural disaster. But even many Republicans have doubts about the government's capabilities -- nearly as many Republicans say the government is not ready as say it is. 

The poll delved more deeply into Americans' preparedness by asking whether they had secured many of the items recommended for surviving in the aftermath of a natural disaster. A majority say they had each of the six items tested, from a low of 59% having a stockpile of food and water to a high of 81% having a first aid kit and a supply of personal care items. 

Southerners, who were most likely to say they are ready for a natural disaster, are also most likely to report having each of the recommended items, though in some cases, the differences between Southern residents and those living elsewhere are slight. 

Percentage Having Items Needed in Case of Natural Disaster, by Region

Survey Methods

These results are based on telephone interviews with a randomly selected national sample of 1,007 adults, aged 18 and older, conducted April 13-16, 2007. For results based on this sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects is ±3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

Now thinking about natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and tornadoes,

32. Do you think each of the following people or groups are -- or are not -- ready to deal with a natural disaster if one should happen in your local community?  How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

33. Next, I am going to read a list of things some people have done in order to prepare for a natural disaster.  For each one, please say if this is something you currently have or do not have.  How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?