Segment Demographics
Base: Connecticut residents in Coastal Flood Zones A and B who have experienced a storm (n=996). Data collected Sept. – Oct., 2014.
Demographics by Segment
| Zone | Zone A | Zone B |
| First Out | 24% | 16% |
| Constrained | 15% | 12% |
| Optimists | 15% | 18% |
| Reluctant | 22% | 37% |
| Diehard | 25% | 17% |
| Age | 18 thru 29 | 30 thru 44 | 45 thru 59 | 60 or over |
| First Out | 32% | 17% | 27% | 17% |
| Constrained | 14% | 13% | 16% | 13% |
| Optimists | 11% | 15% | 14% | 18% |
| Reluctant | 39% | 31% | 25% | 25% |
| Diehard | 4% | 24% | 18% | 26% |
| Race/Ethnicity | White | AA/Black | Latino | Other |
| First Out | 16% | 39% | 33% | 29% |
| Constrained | 15% | 7% | 16% | 15% |
| Optimists | 13% | 29% | 17% | 20% |
| Reluctant | 30% | 14% | 18% | 26% |
| Diehard | 26% | 11% | 15% | 11% |
| Income | Less than $40,000 | $40,000- $69,999 | $70,000- $99,999 | $100,000 or more |
| First Out | 25% | 19% | 20% | 20% |
| Constrained | 17% | 16% | 9% | 12% |
| Optimists | 23% | 15% | 13% | 8% |
| Reluctant | 18% | 29% | 30% | 36% |
| Diehard | 18% | 21% | 28% | 24% |
| Education | Refused | Less than high school | High school diploma | College degree | Advanced degree |
| First Out | 19% | 13% | 23% | 20% | 23% |
| Constrained | 13% | 9% | 16% | 13% | 14% |
| Optimists | 25% | 22% | 17% | 16% | 13% |
| Reluctant | 16% | 24% | 22% | 30% | 31% |
| Diehard | 27% | 31% | 23% | 22% | 18% |
| Party | Refused | Republican | Democrat | Indepen. | Other | None | Not sure |
| First Out | 19% | 16% | 28% | 18% | 34% | 21% | 7% |
| Constrained | 10% | 12% | 12% | 17% | 0% | 19% | 17% |
| Optimists | 19% | 9% | 18% | 10% | 24% | 15% | 40% |
| Reluctant | 17% | 24% | 26% | 30% | 23% | 26% | 29% |
| Diehard | 35% | 39% | 16% | 25% | 18% | 19% | 6% |
Segments by Evacuation Zone
Is your home located in a hurricane evacuation zone, or not?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Yes | 58% | 34% | 20% | 14% | 30% |
| No | 8% | 14% | 18% | 31% | 29% |
| Not Sure | 32% | 51% | 60% | 54% | 41% |
| Refused | Yes | No | Not Sure |
| First Out | 36% | 40% | 8% | 15% |
| Constrained | 16% | 16% | 9% | 15% |
| Optimists | 37% | 10% | 13% | 20% |
| Reluctant | 11% | 12% | 39% | 31% |
| Diehard | 0% | 22% | 30% | 19% |
Estimates of Hurricane Likelihood
On a scale of 0%-100%, how likely do you think it is that each of the following types of hurricane will hit somewhere along the Connecticut coast in the next 50 years?
| | Category 1 | Category 2 | Category 3 | Category 4 |
| First Out | Mean | 84 | 76 | 56 | 42 |
| First Out | SD | 26 | 26 | 32 | 35 |
| Constrained | Mean | 85 | 69 | 49 | 33 |
| Constrained | SD | 22 | 29 | 33 | 33 |
| Optimists | Mean | 59 | 40 | 22 | 14 |
| Optimists | SD | 32 | 29 | 23 | 21 |
| Reluctant | Mean | 91 | 85 | 61 | 44 |
| Reluctant | SD | 20 | 22 | 29 | 33 |
| Diehard | Mean | 83 | 71 | 46 | 31 |
| Diehard | SD | 25 | 28 | 29 | 29 |
| Total | Mean | 83 | 71 | 49 | 35 |
| Total | SD | 27 | 30 | 32 | 33 |
Worry about Approaching Storms
Generally speaking, when a hurricane or tropical storm is approaching your city or town, how worried do you feel? Please answer using the following scale ranging from 1 (not at all worried) to 7 (extremely worried).
| Mean | Std. Deviation |
| First Out | 5.4 | 1.5 |
| Constrained | 4.0 | 1.7 |
| Optimists | 4.5 | 1.6 |
| Reluctant | 4.0 | 1.7 |
| Diehard | 3.5 | 1.6 |
| Total | 4.2 | 1.8 |
Understanding of Storm Hazards
To the best of your knowledge, which one of the following is the most likely cause of injury or death during a hurricane? Blown or falling objects from high winds; Rising water levels and high waves (storm surge); Flooding from heavy rains; Accidents during evacuation; Other; Not sure.
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Wind | 65% | 65% | 65% | 75% | 71% |
| Storm surge | 29% | 20% | 21% | 15% | 18% |
| Flooding | 16% | 7% | 12% | 6% | 7% |
| Accidents | 19% | 15% | 10% | 2% | 6% |
| Other | 1% | 5% | 0% | 1% | 3% |
| Not sure | 5% | 5% | 9% | 7% | 4% |
| Wind | Storm surge | Flooding | Accidents | Other | Not sure |
| First Out | 20% | 30% | 36% | 42% | 15% | 17% |
| Constrained | 13% | 14% | 11% | 22% | 32% | 12% |
| Optimists | 15% | 16% | 19% | 17% | 3% | 23% |
| Reluctant | 29% | 20% | 18% | 5% | 15% | 32% |
| Diehard | 23% | 19% | 16% | 13% | 35% | 15% |
Likelihood of Storm Damage
If a Category 2 hurricane (100 MPH winds) were going to hit your local area, how likely do you think it is that each of the following would happen? I or someone in my household would be in danger from storm surge (water from the ocean or Long Island Sound).
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 0% | 3% | 3% | 1% | 2% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 18% | 41% | 55% | 85% | 81% |
| About 50/50 | 33% | 30% | 32% | 11% | 13% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 48% | 26% | 10% | 4% | 3% |
If a Category 2 hurricane (100 MPH winds) were going to hit your local area, how likely do you think it is that each of the following would happen? I or someone in my household would be injured or killed.
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 1% | 2% | 4% | 2% | 2% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 48% | 72% | 60% | 90% | 93% |
| About 50/50 | 28% | 20% | 27% | 6% | 3% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 24% | 5% | 9% | 1% | 1% |
If a Category 2 hurricane (100 MPH winds) were going to hit your local area, how likely do you think it is that each of the following would happen? My home or property would be damaged by flooding.
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 1% | 1% | 5% | 2% | 2% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 9% | 28% | 54% | 72% | 73% |
| About 50/50 | 27% | 28% | 30% | 18% | 19% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 64% | 43% | 10% | 8% | 5% |
If a Category 2 hurricane (100 MPH winds) were going to hit your local area, how likely do you think it is that each of the following would happen? My home or property would be damaged by high winds.
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 2% | 2% | 5% | 1% | 2% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 3% | 12% | 21% | 29% | 28% |
| About 50/50 | 21% | 37% | 52% | 50% | 54% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 74% | 49% | 22% | 21% | 16% |
If a Category 2 hurricane (100 MPH winds) were going to hit your local area, how likely do you think it is that each of the following would happen? My home would be isolated due to flooding or debris from high winds.
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 0% | 1% | 3% | 1% | 2% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 16% | 35% | 41% | 61% | 61% |
| About 50/50 | 32% | 38% | 39% | 24% | 26% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 52% | 26% | 17% | 14% | 10% |
Safer to Stay or Go
During a Category 2 hurricane, do you think it would be safer to evacuate or to stay in your home or building? If you’re not sure, please give your best estimate.
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 1% |
| Much/Somewhat safer to evacuate | 67% | 27% | 30% | 17% | 7% |
| About 50/50 | 27% | 46% | 51% | 32% | 26% |
| Much/Somewhat safer to stay | 6% | 27% | 18% | 51% | 66% |
Reasons to Stay at Home and Perceptions of Safety
If asked to evacuate, would you instead stay to protect your home or business?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0% | 1% |
| Yes, definitely/Yes, probably | 7% | 16% | 6% | 5% | 58% |
| About 50/50 | 12% | 53% | 21% | 19% | 24% |
| No, definitely not/No, probably not | 80% | 30% | 71% | 76% | 18% |
Would you not evacuate so you could stay to watch the storm?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 1% | 2% | 3% | 1% | 2% |
| Yes, definitely/Yes, probably | 5% | 8% | 6% | 3% | 29% |
| About 50/50 | 3% | 15% | 14% | 11% | 20% |
| No, definitely not/No, probably not | 91% | 75% | 78% | 85% | 50% |
Would you evacuate to avoid being stuck in your local area due to blocked roads after the storm?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% |
| Yes, definitely/Yes, probably | 72% | 30% | 50% | 23% | 11% |
| About 50/50 | 15% | 36% | 24% | 29% | 17% |
| No, definitely not/No, probably not | 12% | 32% | 23% | 47% | 71% |
Is your home safe from flooding from the ocean or Long Island Sound?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 1% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 0% |
| Yes, definitely/Yes, probably | 21% | 35% | 57% | 79% | 78% |
| About 50/50 | 26% | 28% | 21% | 10% | 14% |
| No, definitely not/No, probably not | 52% | 34% | 20% | 9% | 7% |
Is your home safe from high winds and blowing objects?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 1% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 0% |
| Yes, definitely/Yes, probably | 7% | 6% | 20% | 18% | 28% |
| About 50/50 | 29% | 37% | 28% | 38% | 41% |
| No, definitely not/No, probably not | 62% | 53% | 50% | 44% | 31% |
Perceived Preparedness
Generally speaking, how prepared were you for the storm(s) you experienced?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 0% | 1% | 0% | 1% | 0% |
| Fully/Very prepared | 43% | 30% | 17% | 43% | 51% |
| Moderately prepared | 39% | 47% | 47% | 45% | 36% |
| A little/Not at all prepared | 18% | 22% | 36% | 11% | 13% |
Actual Preparedness
In case of an emergency, do you have the following supplies in your home, or not?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| A 3-day supply of non- perishable, ready-to-eat food for everyone in your household | 69% | 66% | 68% | 85% | 85% |
| At least 3 gallons of water for each member of your household | 52% | 48% | 44% | 56% | 58% |
| A flashlight and extra batteries | 86% | 83% | 84% | 94% | 95% |
| A hand crank portable radio or battery-powered radio with extra batteries | 45% | 46% | 35% | 64% | 63% |
| A first aid kit | 67% | 74% | 56% | 85% | 82% |
| A cell phone | 96% | 92% | 94% | 98% | 96% |
| A backup power generator | 14% | 21% | 10% | 21% | 36% |
| None of the above | 3% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 1% |
Confidence in Ability to Stay Safe
How confident do you feel about your ability to keep yourself and the people in your household safe during a hurricane or tropical storm?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 1% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 0% |
| Extremely/Very confident | 41% | 38% | 21% | 63% | 69% |
| Moderately confident | 36% | 49% | 55% | 33% | 25% |
| A little/Not at all confident | 23% | 12% | 21% | 3% | 6% |
Intended Evacuation Behavior
How likely is it that you would evacuate if the following were forecast to hit your local area? Category 1.
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 2% | 4% | 4% | 2% | 1% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 27% | 75% | 48% | 94% | 95% |
| About 50/50 | 27% | 19% | 32% | 3% | 2% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 44% | 3% | 17% | 1% | 2% |
How likely is it that you would evacuate if the following were forecast to hit your local area? Category 2.
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 1% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 2% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 7% | 44% | 19% | 68% | 89% |
| About 50/50 | 15% | 36% | 28% | 25% | 8% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 77% | 16% | 51% | 6% | 2% |
How likely is it that you would evacuate if the following were forecast to hit your local area? Category 3.
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 2% | 6% | 4% | 2% | 2% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 6% | 4% | 3% | 23% | 46% |
| About 50/50 | 3% | 35% | 9% | 32% | 40% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 89% | 55% | 84% | 43% | 13% |
How likely is it that you would evacuate if the following were forecast to hit your local area? Category 4.
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 2% | 3% | 4% | 2% | 2% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 3% | 0% | 2% | 9% | 23% |
| About 50/50 | 1% | 15% | 5% | 12% | 30% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 94% | 82% | 89% | 77% | 46% |
Intended Evacuation Behavior With and Without Notice.
If a Category 2 hurricane (100 MPH winds) were going to hit your local area, how likely would you be to evacuate if you received an official notice advising everyone in your local area to evacuate?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 1% | 5% | 3% | 1% | 1% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 2% | 15% | 2% | 7% | 68% |
| About 50/50 | 8% | 45% | 18% | 14% | 23% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 89% | 35% | 77% | 78% | 8% |
If a Category 2 hurricane (100 MPH winds) were going to hit your local area, how likely would you be to evacuate if you did NOT receive an official notice advising everyone in your local area to evacuate?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 6% | 9% | 11% | 3% | 6% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 18% | 52% | 28% | 71% | 90% |
| About 50/50 | 28% | 30% | 34% | 20% | 4% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 48% | 9% | 27% | 6% | 0% |
Intended Evacuation Behavior if Advised By…
When a hurricane or tropical storm approaches your local area, different people and organizations might ask you to evacuate your home or building. How likely would you be to evacuate if the Governor’s Office asked or told you to?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 3% | 3% | 9% | 3% | 1% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 3% | 28% | 4% | 4% | 60% |
| About 50/50 | 10% | 37% | 19% | 14% | 27% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 83% | 23% | 65% | 77% | 8% |
| Not sure | 1% | 10% | 3% | 1% | 4% |
When a hurricane or tropical storm approaches your local area, different people and organizations might ask you to evacuate your home or building. How likely would you be to evacuate if a local government official asked or told you to?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 1% | 5% | 5% | 1% | 1% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 1% | 22% | 4% | 1% | 53% |
| About 50/50 | 5% | 43% | 16% | 10% | 33% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 91% | 21% | 73% | 87% | 10% |
| Not sure | 1% | 9% | 2% | 1% | 3% |
When a hurricane or tropical storm approaches your local area, different people and organizations might ask you to evacuate your home or building. How likely would you be to evacuate if the local police/fire department asked or told you to?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 3% | 1% | 5% | 1% | 0% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 2% | 15% | 2% | 0% | 40% |
| About 50/50 | 2% | 37% | 16% | 6% | 36% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 93% | 44% | 76% | 92% | 22% |
| Not sure | 0% | 3% | 1% | 0% | 2% |
When a hurricane or tropical storm approaches your local area, different people and organizations might ask you to evacuate your home or building. How likely would you be to evacuate if local TV and radio stations asked or told you to?
| First Out | Constrained | Optimists | Reluctant | Diehard |
| Refused | 4% | 2% | 9% | 3% | 1% |
| Definitely/Probably would not | 3% | 31% | 10% | 12% | 63% |
| About 50/50 | 22% | 50% | 42% | 32% | 30% |
| Definitely/Probably would | 68% | 15% | 37% | 49% | 3% |
| Not sure | 3% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 4% |