Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

Superstorm Sandy Evacuation Behavior

Evacuated for Superstorm Sandy

Those who evacuated for Superstorm Sandy overwhelmingly came from the First Out – 55% of this group evacuated. After the First Out, the proportion of people evacuating from any segment drops substantially: 22% of the Constrained evacuated, 17% of the Optimists, 13% of the Reluctant, and 6% of the Diehards evacuated.

Evacuated for Superstorm Sandy by segment

Question: Before Superstorm Sandy hit your area, did you leave your home to go someplace safer; that is, did you evacuate?

Base: Connecticut residents in Coastal Flood Zones A and B who have experienced a storm (n=996). Data collected Sept.- Oct., 2014. Source: http://environment.yale.edu/climate-communication/article/coastal-ct-hurricane-segments/

Number of Evacuations

The number of times that members of each segment have evacuated in the past varies significantly. Over two thirds (68%) of the First Out have evacuated at least once, whereas only one third of the Optimists (36%) and Constrained (32%) have done so. The Reluctant and Diehards evacuated the fewest number of times, with 19% and 7%, respectively, saying they evacuated at least once.

Number times each segment evacuated between 2009 – 2014 by segment

Question: How many times have you evacuated?

Base: Connecticut residents in Coastal Flood Zones A and B who have experienced a storm (n=996). Data collected Sept.- Oct., 2014. Source: http://environment.yale.edu/climate-communication/article/coastal-ct-hurricane-segments/

Connecticut Emergency Alerting & Notification Systems

On average, over half of all Connecticut coastal residents (55%) say they receive messages from the Connecticut Emergency Alerting and Notification Systems, either through email or alerts to their cell phone. The First Out (64%) and Reluctant (63%) are more likely to say they receive such messages than the other groups. Optimists are the least likely to say they receive emergency alerts (50%).

Do you receive emergency alerts through your cell phone or email? (by segment)

Question: Have you ever received messages from the Connecticut Emergency Alerting and Notification Systems, either through email or alerts to your cell phone?

Base: Connecticut residents in Coastal Flood Zones A and B who have experienced a storm (n=996). Data collected Sept.- Oct., 2014. Source: http://environment.yale.edu/climate-communication/article/coastal-ct-hurricane-segments/