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Hurricane Attitudes of Coastal Connecticut Residents: A Segmentation Analysis to Support Communication


Appendix B: Data Tables

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
ZoneZone AZone B
First Out24%16%
Constrained15%12%
Optimists15%18%
Reluctant 22% 37%
Diehard 25%17%
Age18 thru 2930 thru 4445 thru 5960 or over
First Out32%17%27%17%
Constrained14%13%16%13%
Optimists11%15%14%18%
Reluctant39%31%25%25%
Diehard4%24%18%26%
Race/EthnicityWhiteAA/BlackLatinoOther
First Out16%39%33%29%
Constrained15%7%16%15%
Optimists13%29%17%20%
Reluctant30%14%18%26%
Diehard26%11%15%11%
IncomeLess than $40,000$40,000- $69,999$70,000- $99,999$100,000 or more
First Out25%19%20%20%
Constrained17%16%9%12%
Optimists23%15%13%8%
Reluctant18%29%30%36%
Diehard18%21%28%24%
EducationRefusedLess than high schoolHigh school diplomaCollege degreeAdvanced degree
First Out19%13%23%20%23%
Constrained13%9%16%13%14%
Optimists25%22%17%16%13%
Reluctant16%24%22%30%31%
Diehard27%31%23%22%18%
PartyRefusedRepublicanDemocratIndepen.OtherNoneNot sure
First Out19%16%28%18%34%21%7%
Constrained10%12%12%17%0%19%17%
Optimists19%9%18%10%24%15%40%
Reluctant17%24%26%30%23%26%29%
Diehard35%39%16%25%18%19%6%
Segments by Evacuation Zone

Is your home located in a hurricane evacuation zone, or not?

First OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Yes58%34%20%14%30%
No8%14%18%31%29%
Not Sure32%51%60%54%41%
RefusedYesNoNot Sure
First Out36%40%8%15%
Constrained16%16%9%15%
Optimists37%10%13%20%
Reluctant11%12%39%31%
Diehard0%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 1Category 2Category 3Category 4
First OutMean84765642
First OutSD26263235
ConstrainedMean85694933
ConstrainedSD22293333
OptimistsMean59402214
OptimistsSD32292321
ReluctantMean91856144
ReluctantSD20222933
DiehardMean83714631
DiehardSD25282929
TotalMean83714935
TotalSD27303233
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).

MeanStd. Deviation
First Out5.41.5
Constrained4.01.7
Optimists4.51.6
Reluctant4.01.7
Diehard3.51.6
Total4.21.8
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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Wind65%65%65%75%71%
Storm surge29%20%21%15%18%
Flooding16%7%12%6%7%
Accidents19%15%10%2%6%
Other1%5%0%1%3%
Not sure5%5%9%7%4%

WindStorm surgeFloodingAccidentsOtherNot sure
First Out20%30%36%42%15%17%
Constrained13%14%11%22%32%12%
Optimists15%16%19%17%3%23%
Reluctant29%20%18%5%15%32%
Diehard23%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused0%3%3%1%2%
Definitely/Probably would not18%41%55%85%81%
About 50/5033%30%32%11%13%
Definitely/Probably would48%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused1%2%4%2%2%
Definitely/Probably would not48%72%60%90%93%
About 50/5028%20%27%6%3%
Definitely/Probably would24%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused1%1%5%2%2%
Definitely/Probably would not9%28%54%72%73%
About 50/5027%28%30%18%19%
Definitely/Probably would64%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused2%2%5%1%2%
Definitely/Probably would not3%12%21%29%28%
About 50/5021%37%52%50%54%
Definitely/Probably would74%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused0%1%3%1%2%
Definitely/Probably would not16%35%41%61%61%
About 50/5032%38%39%24%26%
Definitely/Probably would52%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused1%1%1%0%1%
Much/Somewhat safer to evacuate67%27%30%17%7%
About 50/5027%46%51%32%26%
Much/Somewhat safer to stay6%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused1%1%2%0%1%
Yes, definitely/Yes, probably7%16%6%5%58%
About 50/5012%53%21%19%24%
No, definitely not/No, probably not80%30%71%76%18%

Would you not evacuate so you could stay to watch the storm?

First OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused1%2%3%1%2%
Yes, definitely/Yes, probably5%8%6%3%29%
About 50/503%15%14%11%20%
No, definitely not/No, probably not91%75%78%85%50%

Would you evacuate to avoid being stuck in your local area due to blocked roads after the storm?

First OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused2%2%2%2%1%
Yes, definitely/Yes, probably72%30%50%23%11%
About 50/5015%36%24%29%17%
No, definitely not/No, probably not12%32%23%47%71%

Is your home safe from flooding from the ocean or Long Island Sound?

First OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused1%3%2%2%0%
Yes, definitely/Yes, probably21%35%57%79%78%
About 50/5026%28%21%10%14%
No, definitely not/No, probably not52%34%20%9%7%

Is your home safe from high winds and blowing objects?

First OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused1%4%2%1%0%
Yes, definitely/Yes, probably7%6%20%18%28%
About 50/5029%37%28%38%41%
No, definitely not/No, probably not62%53%50%44%31%
Perceived Preparedness

Generally speaking, how prepared were you for the storm(s) you experienced?

First OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused0%1%0%1%0%
Fully/Very prepared43%30%17%43%51%
Moderately prepared39%47%47%45%36%
A little/Not at all prepared18%22%36%11%13%
Actual Preparedness

In case of an emergency, do you have the following supplies in your home, or not?

First OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
A 3-day supply of non- perishable, ready-to-eat food for everyone in your household69%66%68%85%85%
At least 3 gallons of water for each member of your household52%48%44%56%58%
A flashlight and extra batteries86%83%84%94%95%
A hand crank portable radio or battery-powered radio with extra batteries45%46%35%64%63%
A first aid kit67%74%56%85%82%
A cell phone96%92%94%98%96%
A backup power generator14%21%10%21%36%
None of the above3%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused1%1%2%1%0%
Extremely/Very confident41%38%21%63%69%
Moderately confident36%49%55%33%25%
A little/Not at all confident23%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused2%4%4%2%1%
Definitely/Probably would not27%75%48%94%95%
About 50/5027%19%32%3%2%
Definitely/Probably would44%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused1%4%2%1%2%
Definitely/Probably would not7%44%19%68%89%
About 50/5015%36%28%25%8%
Definitely/Probably would77%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused2%6%4%2%2%
Definitely/Probably would not6%4%3%23%46%
About 50/503%35%9%32%40%
Definitely/Probably would89%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused2%3%4%2%2%
Definitely/Probably would not3%0%2%9%23%
About 50/501%15%5%12%30%
Definitely/Probably would94%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused1%5%3%1%1%
Definitely/Probably would not2%15%2%7%68%
About 50/508%45%18%14%23%
Definitely/Probably would89%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused6%9%11%3%6%
Definitely/Probably would not18%52%28%71%90%
About 50/5028%30%34%20%4%
Definitely/Probably would48%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused3%3%9%3%1%
Definitely/Probably would not3%28%4%4%60%
About 50/5010%37%19%14%27%
Definitely/Probably would83%23%65%77%8%
Not sure1%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused1%5%5%1%1%
Definitely/Probably would not1%22%4%1%53%
About 50/505%43%16%10%33%
Definitely/Probably would91%21%73%87%10%
Not sure1%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused3%1%5%1%0%
Definitely/Probably would not2%15%2%0%40%
About 50/502%37%16%6%36%
Definitely/Probably would93%44%76%92%22%
Not sure0%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 OutConstrainedOptimistsReluctantDiehard
Refused4%2%9%3%1%
Definitely/Probably would not3%31%10%12%63%
About 50/5022%50%42%32%30%
Definitely/Probably would68%15%37%49%3%
Not sure3%3%2%3%4%