Survey Shows Residents of Hurricane-Prone Coastal Regions Underestimate Preparedness for 2008 Storm Season

While many coastal residents find it hard to forget the experience of living through a hurricane, as a new storm season approaches many may be experiencing a case of amnesia about basic preparedness strategies according to a new survey out today from Allstate. Lack of evacuation plans and procedures are a cause for concern. While more than half (55 percent) of survey respondents declared they are prepared for a hurricane right now, the majority admitted to not having an evacuation plan in place for their family or a meeting place away from the coast. The exception to this rule was in New Orleans where 78 percent have an evacuation plan. These plans are crucial and should be discussed with relatives and neighbors in advance of a hurricane. According to the survey, while seven in 10 of those who have recently experienced a hurricane declared it a frightening experience, only two-thirds of coastal residents said they were likely to evacuate if a major storm like Katrina was headed their way. Various reasons such as feeling safe at home, protecting their home from looters or traffic concerns were given by the one-third not willing to evacuate. "Experts predict above average hurricane activity this year, with several storms expected to reach Category 3 or higher,” said Allstate’s National Catastrophe Team Director Les Mertins. "Those predictions, coupled with the statistics we’ve uncovered through this survey, make it clear to us that we need to continue to raise awareness about hurricane preparedness among coastal residents. Preparation is a family’s best defense against a natural disaster, and families can follow simple steps to prepare themselves for the worst case scenario.” Remarkably, the survey showed that respondents could not name many of the most essential items to have on hand in case of a hurricane. While two-thirds could name food and water as necessities, important survival items such as a flashlight (39 percent), batteries (30 percent), radio (18 percent) and first aid kit (13 percent) were named by much smaller numbers indicating the need for better awareness about hurricane preparedness in these regions. Having cash and a full tank of gas were mentioned by only about one in 10. Experts advise that families can prepare themselves by creating a well-stocked first-aid kit as well as a disaster-supply kit and keeping them in easy-to-access places. The disaster-supply kit should contain a three-day supply of water and ready-to-eat, non-perishable foods as well as utensils, personal hygiene items, extra clothes, blankets and shoes. Travelers checks and extra cash should also be stored in a secure place. Not surprisingly, the recent experiences of New Orleans residents made them the exception to many of the survey statistics. The survey showed that 84 percent of residents in that city said they would evacuate if a major storm like Katrina was headed their way, compared with 66 percent across all these coastal cities, and 78 percent reported that they are either fairly or very prepared for the next hurricane, compared with only 55 percent across all of the coastal areas. Additional Survey Stats Almost seven out of 10 say that if their home were destroyed by a hurricane, they would probably remain in the area and either rebuild their home (49 percent) or find another in the same area (21 percent). Only about one in four say they would probably move away from the area. Less than one-third (30 percent) of those living in these hurricane risk areas say they have a separate flood insurance policy. Regional differences were pronounced, with two-thirds of New Orleans residents saying they have flood insurance, half in Houston, roughly one-third in Tampa and Wilmington, N.C., and about one-fourth or less in Virginia Beach, Long Island and the Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey regions. More than six in 10 (62 percent) respondents say they have not made a list of their possessions in the past year or two in case of a disaster. That’s compared with 50 percent of New Orleans residents who have made a list of their possessions. Almost nine out of 10 people in hurricane prone areas say they keep all their important documents together in one place, so they would be easy to find in case they had to evacuate. Three-fourths (76 percent) agree with the statement that government is moving too slowly in developing a comprehensive plan to prepare and protect Americans from destructive hurricanes and should make this a top priority. Only 15 percent agree with the idea that there is time to develop a plan since another storm as destructive as Katrina happens only rarely. Today’s survey release kicks off a comprehensive effort by Allstate to encourage coastal residents to become better prepared for hurricane season, which begins June 1. As part of this campaign, Allstate is taking its innovative Mobile Response Unit (MRU) fleet on the road throughout the Gulf Coast and Eastern Seaboard to raise awareness about hurricane preparedness. The company’s fleet of six full-time MRUs can be dispatched following a natural disaster to help deliver quick and efficient claims service to affected Allstate customers. Once onsite, MRUs are staffed by a team of claims personnel from Allstate’s National Catastrophe Team, who direct and coordinate all aspects of Allstate’s disaster-response operations. Allstate has valuable tools and resources available and easily accessible, including hurricane preparation guides, home inventory check lists, property protection and insurance coverage information. This information and more can be found at www.allstate.com/catastrophe. The study was based on telephone interviews with a random sample of 2,800 residents of U.S. coastal areas along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Interviews were conducted with 400 residents in each of the following areas: New Orleans; Houston; Tampa; Virginia Beach/Norfolk; Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey; Long Island and Wilmington, NC. The survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corp. for Allstate. About Allstate The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 exclusive agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. Encompass® and Deerbrook® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.