Survey Disaster Preparedness

Table of Contents
Executive Summary and Major Findings................................................1

Methodology.....................................................................................3
Evaluation of Survey Question ............................................................4
Question 1: Level of Disaster Preparedness........................................4
Question 2: Family Evacuation Plan ..................................................6
Question 3: Evacuation Route ..........................................................8
Question 3a: Accommodation Choice ................................................9
Question 4: Evacuation Means ....................................................... 10
Question 5: Household Languages ................................................. 12
Question 6: Household Family Member Age Distribution..................... 13
Question 7: Home Communications Technology................................ 14
Question 8: Preferred Notification Means ......................................... 15
Question 9: Special Needs Family Members ..................................... 17
Question 9: Special Needs Family Members ..................................... 17
Question 10: Pet Ownership .......................................................... 19
Question 11: Financial Assistance for Home Mitigation ....................... 20
Question 12: Willingness to Relocate.............................................. 21
Question 13: Evacuation Assistance to Others ................................. 22
Question 14: Preferred Means for Public Education ........................... 23
Question 15: Preferred Location for Public Information ..................... 23
Attachment 1: Survey Tool ............................................................... 31
Attachment 2: Summary Table of Recommendations........................... 31
Summary of Survey Results
Executive Summary and Major Findings

Following is a summary and major findings of the survey which was conducted
in the Glades area of Palm Beach County to determine the level of disaster
preparedness among the communities. In the month of August 2006, Palm
Beach County Division of Emergency Management, in partnership with Project
Hope, conducted a community wide survey of the residents in Belle Glade,
Pahokee, South Bay, Canal Point and the surrounding unincorporated areas.
While the survey was designed in the wake of heightened public awareness of
vulnerabilities at the Herbert Hoover Dike, the questions of the survey focused
on all-hazards disaster preparedness. A total of 2,445 surveys were collected by
outreach teams who walked from door to door in each of the communities and
conducted interviews from stationary sites at major retail outlets in the Glades
area. Following are major findings from this survey summary:
Disaster Preparedness:
-
More than half of the population surveyed report that they are
disaster prepared. A large segment (42%) of the population,
however, continues to lack the necessary understanding of the
hazards within their community, or they lack the necessary
information to prepare their home and family for a disaster event.
Sixty-four (64) percent of the population has developed an

evacuation plan. Though this represents a greater portion of the
population that considers itself prepared for a disaster, it also
reveals that many of the respondents are not preparing to evacuate
the area despite extensive media reports and public outreach
efforts.
Evacuation:
-
In terms of evacuation routes, survey respondents indicate a

willingness to utilize a diversity of routes to leave the area. Both US
80 and US 27 are strong evacuation routes of choice.
Seventy (70) percent of evacuees plan to evacuate to the home of

a family member or friend. Fourteen (14) percent of evacuees
stated that they plan to go to public shelter.
Eighty-seven (87) percent of evacuees will utilize a personal vehicle

to leave the area. Eleven (11) percent will rely upon public
transportation.
Emergency Notification:
-
Virtually all homes in the Glades area reported having television

(98%) and radios (93%). Respondents state that the preferred
means of notification is the telephone at sixty-two (62) percent and
the general media which would broadcast through the radio (41%)
and/or television (56%).
Special Needs:
-
Pets:
-
Most owners
Virtually all homeowners would be willing to accept financial

assistance to mitigate their home and would be willing to relocate
to a safer area within their community.
Community Assistance:
-
A quarter of the households report pet ownership.

state that their evacuation plan includes their pet.
Mitigation:
-
Approximately seventeen (17) percent of respondents report

having a member in the household with special needs which
includes dialysis patients, chronic medical conditions, Alzheimers,
oxygen dependent, diabetic, and others.
The community spirit within the Glades areas is revealed through

the majority of residents stating that they are willing to assist their
neighbors in the evacuation process.
Public Education:
-
Residents stated that flyers and reading materials are the preferred
method to receive additional education related to disaster
preparedness. Live presentation and videos also represent
preferred means to receiving information. The majority of residents
prefer to review educational materials in their homes, yet a
significant number of respondents listed their church as an
alternate preferred location.
Recommendations:
-
The number of persons registered for the special needs shelter is

far lower than those who reported being registered for the shelter.
This may pose a problem in either the survey, the registration
process, or individual understanding of the special needs process.
Methodology
The survey tool consisted of fifteen multiple choice and open-ended questions. A
team of three persons surveyed residents within each of the communities by
going door to door within selected neighborhoods. Additional surveys were
conducted from stationary sites at major retail outlets in Belle Glade and
Pahokee. Project Hope Public Outreach Team, as a supplement to their disaster
outreach efforts, conducted 2445 surveys with the following distribution among
the municipal jurisdictions:
Municipality
Number of Surveys
Belle Glade
Canal Point
Pahokee
South Bay
Other
2101
29
91
118
106
Total
2445
In advance of the actual survey, a sample survey was conducted on July 12,
2007 to test the survey methodology and survey tool. A total of 30 project hope
outreach team members participated in the sample survey which was conducted
in each of the communities and at one stationary site. The results of the sample
survey were not incorporated into the final survey findings because the survey
tool was altered based upon the comments of the surveyors. A total of 2445
surveys were collected. Of these, 422 refused to participate in the survey which
provides a total of 2023 surveys for analysis in the survey summary. With a
total population of 38,026 persons (population projection for 2010) in the glades
area, this sample population represents 6.4 percent of the total population.
The disaster preparedness survey was conducted on August 1 through August 6
and August 10 and 11, 2007 between the hours of 9:30 am and 4:30 pm. The
total number of teams varied from a total of 10 teams 6 teams throughout the
survey period. Each team consisted of 2 individuals. The teams possessed
diverse linguistic skills including six Spanish speakers and 14 Creole speakers.
Survey Project Leadership Team:
Maite Roca, Project Hope

Jennifer Beckman, Project Hope
Chuck Tear, PBC DEM
Erin Meyer, PBC DEM
Carl Larsen, PBC DEM
Helene Wetherington, AICP, CEM, Calvin, Giordano & Associates
Evaluation of Survey Questions

Question 1: Level of Disaster Preparedness
Summary of Survey Result
Question one measured the respondents perception of his or her own level of
disaster preparedness. To the question, Are you prepared for a disaster? a
slight majority concurred that they were prepared; yet, a significant portion of
the population remains unprepared despite ongoing public outreach and
education efforts.
Question 1: Disaster Preparedness
No
Yes
842
1176
Total Responses
42%
58%
2009 100%
Discussion of Survey Findings

When residents were asked: Are you prepared for a disaster? The responses
were closely weighted on both sides. While fifty-eight percent responded
positively, forty-two percent stated that they were not prepared for a disaster in
their community. This question may have been interpreted differently by the
respondents based upon their own experience and level of understanding of
disaster preparedness. A positive response to this question may mean that
respondents understood the within their community especially the potential of a
hurricane threat and dangers associated with Herbert Hoover Dike. Secondly, it
is hoped that by being prepared, respondents have developed and discussed
basic steps to ensure that family members could respond safely to the identified
hazards.
An extensive amount of local and national media have focused attention on the
vulnerabilities associated with the Herbert Hoover Dike in the recent years.
Similarly, numerous hurricanes have impacted the Glades area in the last five
years including Hurricane Irene, Frances, Jeanne, Charlie, and Wilma to
reinforce resident awareness of hurricane threats. Palm Beach County, in
cooperation with the local municipal jurisdictions, have conducted a series of
town meetings in the local community, community picnic, and outreach to social
networks such as churches and community groups. Various disaster
preparedness materials have been developed and distributed by public and
private sources to the community. While it appears that large segments of the
population perceive themselves as being disaster prepared, an excessive
percentage of the population remains either unaware of the surrounding threats
in their community and/or lack the tools to adequately prepare their families for
a disaster event.
Due to the large number of respondents who continue to be unprepared, it is

recommended that Palm Beach County, local governments, private sector
partners, and the media continue to conduct public education and outreach to
the communities in the Glades area.
Question 2: Family Evacuation Plan

The second question on the survey attempted to explore more detail regarding
the level of disaster preparedness within the community. Respondents were
asked if they had an evacuation plan? A larger percent (64%) responded
affirmatively, while 36% stated they did not have an evacuation plan. A fairly
significant percentage of the community appears to be prepared to evacuate the
area, while still being relatively unprepared for a disaster as detailed in the
question one.
Question 2: Family Evacuation Plan
No
Yes
716
1284
Total Responses
36%
64%
2000 100%
For respondents who stated that they did not have an evacuation plan, Question
2a asked them to explain why they have not developed an evacuation plan. This
question was, therefore, only addressed to the segment of the population
(36%). The greatest single response to this question was a lack of financial
resources to either develop the plan and/or to implement an evacuation plan. A
response of dont know was also very high which may indicate that residents
either dont understand the threats within their community and the need to
develop an evacuation plan. On the other hand, residents may not understand
how to develop an evacuation plan.
Question 2a: Reason for no plan
Don't Know
Other
No transportation
Lack of money
277
12
95
307
40%
2%
14%
44%
Total Responses
691 100%

These responses reveal that a significant portion of the population is anticipating
a need to evacuation their home and/or their community and have developed an
evacuation plan. It is unclear what elements are included in the evacuation plan
and whether this plan has been communicated to all family members. The
responses to this question also reveal that a larger percent of respondents had
an evacuation plan (64%) than the number of respondents that felt they were
disaster prepared (58%). Having an evacuation plan, alone, therefore, is not
sufficient to determine the respondents perception of their level of preparedness
which was lower by six percent.
Respondents, who stated that they did not have an evacuation plan in the
previous question (36%), were then asked to explain this decision. Of the 691
respondents, 307 stated that they lacked financial resources to have an
evacuation plan. This may be interpreted that the residents lack resources to
develop the plan or to implement the plan. It seems more likely, the low income
segment of the population lacks financial resources to pay the perceived costs of
evacuation (transportation, accommodations). Almost an equal number of
respondents (277) stated that they did not know the reason for a lack of a plan.
Do the member of this group not know that they need a plan; or, do they not
know how to create a plan? Public outreach strategies should address both
issue areas.
Recommendation
The relatively large majority which has developed an evacuation plan reveals
that significant strides are being made to educate the community of the
potential need to evacuate the area due to community threats and hazards.
Additional public outreach and education, however, is still needed to ensure that
disaster preparedness plans are sufficiently comprehensive to provide residents
a greater sense of being prepared.
With proper planning, the perception that individuals lack the financial resources
to evacuate the area may be overcome. Education effort should instill the sense
of individual responsibility which will encourage individuals to be better
prepared. By planning with friends, family members, church communities, and
other social networks, low income families can overcome their perception that
evacuation is not an option. Pooling private resources and encouraging
neighbors to help neighbors will reveal further evacuation options to individuals
with limited financial resources. Additionally, Palm Beach County should continue
to educate residents on the public transportation and sheltering options that
have been developed to support Glades area residents.
Question 3: Evacuation Route

Respondents were asked to identify which routes they may prefer to take during
an evacuation order. Respondents expressed a desire to evacuate in almost
equal amounts into a southerly direction heading toward Broward County and
into an easterly direction into Palm Beach County. The following table depicts
their evacuation route choice:
Question 3: Evacuation Route
State Road 80 (Southern Blvd)- (east)
State Highway 715 (south or east)
County Road 827A (east)
US Highway 27 (south)
US Highway 98 (SR 98) (east)
County Road 880 (Old 80) (east)
Other Route:
Don't know
N/A - using public transportation
Total Responses
355
234
29
558
57
135
224
260
108
18%
12%
1%
28%
3%
7%
11%
13%
6%
1960
100%

The survey results reveal that residents are willing to travel either to the east or
to the south during an evacuation order. In the scenario where advance warning
may be issued (i.e. a pre hurricane evacuation order), residents may consider
traveling to the location of their choice to stay with friend or family members
(see question 3a). In the event of a sudden dike breach, however, evacuation
route choices may be limited due to flooded roadways and unsafe conditions.
Family members may be separated, transportation means limited, and advance
coordination impossible. Under these circumstances, the evacuation route
preference may not be as relevant since evacuees may be directed to utilize
available routes. An evacuation study was completed for the Glades area which
evaluates all of the above options and provides evacuation clearance times
based upon various evacuation route selections.
Recommendation
Due to the fact that evacuees are likely to travel in any of the possible directions
to leave the Glades area, it is vital that Palm Beach County officials, coordinate
evacuation decisions with neighboring counties to the north (Martin County) and
south (Broward County) to ensure that necessary resources can be dedicated to
support the evacuation needs of the Glades area residents. Identification of
receptions centers in the south (Bank Atlantic Center) and the East (South
Florida Fairgrounds) is essential is a fast breaking sunny day breach scenario.
Question 3a: Accommodation Choice

This survey reveals that the majority of residents would choose to stay with
family members or friends (70%). Only fourteen (14) percent of the residents
stated that they would stay at a public shelter and twenty (20) percent stated
that they would prefer to stay at a hotel. Respondents were permitted to check
multiple choices if they applied to their circumstances. However, survey results
revealed that most residents did not check multiple boxes but appeared to have
a primary choice for their preferred accommodation choice.
Question 3a: Accommodation Choice
Family members
Friends
Hotel
Public shelter
Other
1005
396
413
274
59
Total Responses
50%
20%
20%
14%
3%
2147 106%

The survey findings reveal that most evacuees would choose to stay with friends
and family members that reside outside of the danger zone. In the event that
advance notice of an approaching disaster is available, evacuees will likely seek
out friends and family members to stay with in the immediate post disaster
phase. It is, however, unclear if they will be able to stay with these friends and
family members in the event of a no notice sunny day dike breach scenario.
Without the opportunity for advance notice to friends and family members,
these locations may not be immediately accessible, and evacuees may be forced
to temporarily, at least, seek out a public shelter location. Twenty (20%) of the
evacuees state that they would prefer to stay at a hotel. This options, however,
may be limited both by the availability of hotel space during high seasonal
occupancy, as well as the need for extensive financial resources at many of the
hotels in Palm Beach County.
Recommendation
The current survey data reveals that approximately fourteen percent of the
surveyed population will seek public shelter. If this percentage is accurate in its
application to the broader Glades Area population, then public service agencies
should prepare for a large percent of individuals at public shelters. In a sunny
day breach scenario, the shelter demand may be higher due to flooded
evacuation routes limiting movement and a lack of preparation time.
Question 4: Evacuation Means

Question 4 evaluated which form of transportation respondents where likely to
select when evacuating the area. Over eighty percent selected their personal
family car. A total of eleven percent stated that they would seek public
transportation with lesser percentages in other categories.
Question 4: Evacuation Means
Personal family car
Friend's car
Other
Public transportation
Community, church, or employer
van
Total Responses
1610
121
33
221
81%
6%
2%
11%
10
1%
1962 100%

The overwhelming majority of survey respondents appear to have access to
private vehicles, based upon the answers to this question. A total of eight-one
(81) percent of the responding population would utilize their own family vehicle
and an additional six percent would likely evacuate with the private vehicle of a
friend. Combining these two categories of responses represents 87 percent of
the respondents. A total of eleven percent of the respondents stated that they
would seek public transportation. If this eleven percent is truly representative of
the greater Glades are populations, then public transportation providers should
anticipate approximately eleven percent of the total 42,526 resident (4678
residents) in the Glades area to seek public transportation during a large scale
evacuation of the entire Glades region in the worst case scenario. Resources in
the Glades area are sufficient to meet this need.
When evaluating the results of this question, and all question within the survey,
however, it is important to remember that population segments which reside in
migrant labor camps and other non traditional living establishments may not be
accurately represented in this survey pool. Every attempt possible was made to
survey all population segments of the community, but it may be possible that
this unique group is under represented. This unknown population segment will
also have limited financial resources and with limited ties to the community, the
provision of public services will be essential.
10
Recommendation
Public service agencies should anticipate that the vast majority of the Glades
area residents will evacuate the area utilizing their private vehicles.
Approximately 5000 residents will likely seek public transportation based upon
the results of this survey. Palm Beach County Palm Tran, in cooperation with the
Palm Beach County School Board District, have developed plans to provide
public transportation resources during a large scale disaster.
11
Question 5: Household Languages

Respondents where asked to identify all of the languages spoken in the
household which may have included multiple languages. English is the most
common language spoke in seventy-eight (78) percent of all household, followed
closely by Spanish which is spoken in twenty-six (26) percent of the households.
Approximately ten (10) percent of the household speak Creole. It is important to
note, that in 22 percent of the households, English is not spoken. The table
below details the distribution of languages spoken in each household:
Question 5: Household Languages
English
Spanish
Creole
Other
Total Responses
1585
530
194
10
78%
26%
10%
Less than 1%
2319
115%
Note: multiple responses were permitted for this question

As documented from the general demographic profile of the region, multicultural diversity of the population is reflected in diversity of the languages
spoken in the household. The results of this question reveal that in the Glades
area, residents speak a multitude of languages. Over thirty-six percent of the
respondents stated that they speak either Spanish, Creole or another language.
Equally important is that 26% of the respondents indicated that none of the
members of the household speak English. This lack of English language skills
greatly decreases the ability of these west county residents to communicate in
the predominantly spoken language of the eastern community, the media, and
the public officials.
Recommendation
In all elements of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, it will be
essential to ensure that communications occur is multiple languages. During the
alert and notification phase of a disaster, communicating at a minimum in
Spanish and Creole will be essential. Similarly, as evacuees leave the
community and arrive at staging and shelter facilities, response organizations
should ensure that they are able to communicate in multiple languages to the
arriving evacuees. All elements of the planning process, should incorporate the
multi language needs of the community.
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Question 6: Household Family Member Age Distribution

Each household was asked to detail the percentage distribution of household
members by age group. The table below details this age group distribution:
Question 6: Household Family Members Age
Infant
Children
Adults
Adults Over 65
713
2095
3463
468
Total Responses
11%
31%
51%
7%
6739 100%
Note: During the survey process, interviewers in some cases failed to insert a
numerical figure for each category in this question and simply placed a check
mark in the box. The default data entered into these checked boxes is the
number 1. The data for this question, therefore, may be skewed, when more
than one member of the family should have been placed within the listed
category.
As compared to the average age distribution in Palm Beach County, the
population in the Glades area is quite different. A far greater percentage of the
population is in the infant and children category than in the remaining areas of
the county. In the Glades area, infant and children may make up as much at 42
percent of the population where the percentage in the remaining part of the
county may be as low at 27 percent. Similarly, the number of adults of age 65 is
much smaller in the Glades community than in the remaining county where
percentages are as high at 21.5 percent according to the 2000 census data. Due
to the problems with the survey methodology associated with this question,
reviewers should be cautious when interpreting the results. This uncertainty is
reinforced due to the fact that the numbers in the Glades area are strongly
divergent from those in the remainder of the county.
Recommendation
This question points to some distinguishing characteristics of the Glades
community which are not found in other areas of the county. This population has
a higher percentage of infants and children and a lower percentage of adults
over the age of 65. Disaster response organization should keep these statistics
in mind since it may require additional services in the area of infants and
childcare services and supplies as compared to the needs of the elderly
population.
13
Question 7: Home Communications Technology

This section of the survey confirmed that most household have access to a
broad range of communication technology which would ensure that alert and
warning signals are immediately received among the population. Most of the
population has access to television (98%), telephones (85%) and radios (93%)
within the household. Seventy one percent of population in the Glades area also
has a cellular phone.
Question 7: Home Communications Technology
Computer with internet access (Only)
Cellular Phone
NOAA Weather Radio
Radio
Television
Phone
Total Responses
630
1414
321
1869
1964
1691
31%
71%
16%
93%
98%
85%
7889 394%

Ninety-eight (98%) of the population state that they have a television in the
household, results are similar for radios (93%) and also close for phones (85%).
Since these are the primary means for providing alert and warning to the
potentially impacted public, it is likely that most individuals can be reached
through these means. Public safety personnel will, additionally, provide warning
by driving through the streets and announcing the warning on their public
address systems. Advance warning and lead times, however, may be very short
and, therefore, reliance upon these technologies is vital.
Recommendation
Communication technology within the home appears to be adequate to continue
to justify use of the primary alert and notification mechanisms which include the
general media, dialogic telephone notification system, and Emergency Alert
System. The alert and notification system may be further augmented through
the NOAA weather radio system, but few households (16%) currently have
these radio in their home. The need to install a siren system in the Glades area
has been discussed by local jurisdictions. This survey, however, does not
substantiate the need for an alternate alert and notification system such as a
siren system.
14
Question 8: Preferred Notification Means

Respondents were asked to provide the two best methods officials could use to
notify them that a disaster may be occurring in their community. Most residents
in the Glades area have access to radio and television which is the primary
means for providing detailed emergency information to vulnerable populations.
Additionally, many residents also have access to a telephone which will allow
them to receive messages through the Dialogic Notification System. Plans are in
place to broadcast these messages in English, Spanish, and Creole.
Question 8: Preferred Notification Means
Telephone
Television
Radio
Door to Door
Siren
NOAA Weather Radio
Other
1240
1111
827
528
353
36
23
Total Responses
62%
56%
41%
26%
18%
2%
1%
4118 206%

The Glades area residents posses common modern technological equipment,
such as television, radio, and telephones, in similar numbers as all other
populations in Palm Beach County. Most have television and radio to receive
emergency information. The Dialogic notification system in place in Palm Beach
County, will also prove to be a power notification tool, because it can target the
most vulnerable populations, can transmit the emergency message in multiple
languages, and can transmit the notification even during nighttime hours when
other traditional means such as television and radios may not be operating. The
primary notification means, which Palm Beach County utilizes to notify the
public, are still appropriate based upon the findings of this survey. Additionally
the cities, in cooperation with the first response community, intend to make
door-to-door notifications. These will greatly augment the notification process.
Recommendation
The results of this survey reveal that the alert and notification process identified
in the Palm Beach County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and the
Herbert Hoover Dike Evacuation Coordinating Procedure are appropriate to
achieve maximum public notification through identified means including Dialogic,
EAS, public media, and door to door alerting.
Emergency Alert System
15
announcements, however, are currently in English only. The capability to expand

this system to address multiple languages would provide a great benefit to the
community. Standardized emergency notification messages have been
developed in English, Spanish, and Creole and are incorporated in the Herbert
Hoover Dike Evacuation Coordinating Procedure.
16
Question 9: Special Needs Family Members

This question explored the percentage of the population in the Glades
community which may require special assistance for themselves or family
members due to physical impairment or medical condition. Of the total
responses received, 332 respondents have a member with at least one or
multiple conditions which may require special assistance during a large scale
disaster due to a physical, mental, or medical condition. This represents
approximately seventeen (17) percent of the surveyed population. It is
important to note that the special needs definition for the population was
broadly defined to include individuals who have severe medical conditions such
as a need for dialysis and diabetes, individuals who have mental health
conditions such as Alzheimers, and individual with physical, sight, and hearing
impairments. The largest of this population sub-group are diabetics and other
physical impairments.
Special needs in the family
No
Yes
1566
332
Percent of Special
Needs Population with
Condition
Dialysis
Chronic medical condition
Mental health/Alzheimer's
Electric dependent
Oxygen dependent
Hearing/sight impaired
Physical impairments
Diabetic who is insulin dependent
Other
34
32
18
41
45
10
73
90
71
10%
10%
5%
12%
14%
3%
22%
27%
21%

Seventeen (17) percent of respondents report having a member in the
household with special needs which includes all conditions listed in the table
above. Respondents were permitted to answer multiple responses in this
question. Of the 1980 total responses, 332 respondents stated that a family
member fits at least one or multiple categories listed in the table. The number of
persons actually registered for the special needs shelter is far lower than
expected based on these numbers. Persons who may qualify for the special
needs and/or special care shelter may not be currently registered. The service
provision, therefore, available to this population may be underestimated based
17
upon the needs within the community. It is unclear if the special needs
population may seek additional sheltering services even though they are not
registered for this service provision. If potentially seventeen percent of the
population may be in need of some level of assistance during the evacuation
process due to medical, physical or mental health conditions, then the total
population of persons requiring special assistance may be as high as seventeen
percent of the total Glades area population (42,526) which is approximately
7230 people.
Recommendation
The identification of persons with special needs in the Glades areas should
remain a priority. The current number of registrants is extremely low and does
not reflect the potential number of eligible registrants within the community.
The provision of services to the special needs population is based upon the
identified needs within the community. With the low registration figures, it is
unclear if sufficient services will be available during times of disaster. Public
service agencies should continue to identify, quantify and if necessary register
individuals in all of the PSN population sub-groups identified including
communicable diseases and dialysis patients. Working in partnership with public,
private, and faith-based organizations, develop additional strategies to enhance
registration for assistance, and determine the types of assistance and resources
required to ensure a safe evacuation from the impacted area. Determine the
number of residents likely to seek PSN and SCU needs shelters during an
emergency.
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Question 10: Pet Ownership

Of the total number of survey respondents, twenty-five percent reported pet
ownership in the household. Of the households with pets, over eighty percent
report that their pet was included in their evacuation plan.
Question 10: Pet Ownership
No
Yes
1458
483
Total Responses
75%
25%
1941 100%

In the recent years, increased emphasis has been placed upon the importance of
planning for the welfare of pets within the household. If the area is not safe for
humans, then it is also not safe for animals to remain in the area. These survey
results indicate that most of the pet owners have included them in their
evacuation plans. If pets are left in the evacuated area, then a public safety
hazard and inhuman conditions could be created. Some major obstacles,
however, remain. Pet shelter capacity in Palm Beach County remains limited,
and pets are not allowed on public transportation vehicles. Pet owners should
make transportation and sheltering plans in advance of a large scale disaster
incident.
Recommendation
In public outreach and education efforts continue to emphasize the need for
disaster preparedness plan for pets. The county may continue to explore options
for pets of evacuees to include pet transportation options for evacuees on public
transportation and pet sheltering options for persons with special needs.
19
Question 11: Financial Assistance for Home Mitigation

Survey participants were asked if they were provided full financial assistance
would they be willing to improve their home to be more disaster resistant. The
vast majority of respondents confirmed that they would be willing improve their
home.
Question 11: Assistance for Home Mitigation
No
Yes
340
1469
Total Responses
19%
81%
1809 100%
Question 11a: Reason for a No response

I rent this home
316
94%
Note: 94% represents the number of persons who responded negatively to the
question 11.
Upon request of the Florida Department of Community Affairs, Palm Beach
County incorporated this question into the survey in order to evaluate resident
perceptions of financial assistance programs for home mitigation. In an area
where many homes were constructed prior to the revised building code, homes
may be eligible for retrofitting options to mitigate against future disaster
impacts. Furthermore, with the identified increased vulnerability of structures to
flooding from a potential dike breach, relocation of families in the immediate
vicinity of the dike may be alternative worth further evaluation. Overwhelmingly,
eighty-one percent of the residents confirmed that they would be willing to
mitigate their homes to improve disaster resistance. Ninety-four percent of the
respondents, who did not respond positively to the question, stated that they
rented their home. The fact that they did not own their home discouraged their
desire to mitigate the home against future disasters.
Recommendation
Based upon identified hazards, the local communities may seek to identify,
evaluate and prioritize high risk residential structures. With the increased threat
posed by the Herbert Hoover Dike, homes within the immediate flood zone of
vulnerable reaches, may consider mitigation options such as relocation or flood
proofing. Financial assistance programs which are available to assist residents to
mitigate their homes in the highly vulnerable Glades area should be considered
for implementation in this highly vulnerable area.
20
Question 12: Willingness to Relocate

Respondents were asked: if provided full financial assistance, would they be
willing to relocate to a safer location within the Glades area. A majority of
ninety-two (92) percent responded in the affirmative to this question.

No
Yes
148
1798
Total Responses
8%
92%
1946 100%

It is believed that Glades area residents have close community ties to their town
because of the unique cultural and ethnic diversity within the Glades area.
Despite the high risk of living in close proximity to the Herbert Hoover Dike, it
was hypothesized that residents would resist any attempts to be relocated to
other communities. This question, however, was framed in a manner that would
not require the residents to be relocated to an alternate community, but only
within a safer location of their current community. Residents confirmed that they
would be willing to relocate to a safer location if it was still within the Glades
area. It is unknown if residents would have been willing to relocate to areas
outside of the Glades area.
Recommendation
This survey reveals that residents are willing to consider the relocation option as
long as they relocate within the Glades area community. Local communities may
seek to identify the residential structures located within the most vulnerable
areas based upon the identified hazards. Once structures have been identified
and prioritized, funding sources should be identified to mitigate residential
structures including but not limited to the relocation option.
21
Question 13: Evacuation Assistance to Others

In order to evaluate the sense of community within the Glades area, residents
were asked if they would be willing to assist others in the evacuating? A
majority of seventy-two (72) percent responded in the positive to this question.
Twenty-eight (28) percent of the surveyed populations, however, stated that
they would not be willing to assist others.
No
Yes
534
1389
Total Responses
28%
72%
1918 100%

It was expected that due to the close community ties, many residents would
express a willingness to assist their neighbors in the evacuation process.
However, twenty-eight (28) percent, nevertheless, responded that they would
not be willing to assist others. This may be partially due to a lack of personal
resources to sufficiently provide for themselves and their family members.
Recommendation
This survey continued to reinforce that while local, state, and federal
governmental program are being developed to support the vulnerable residents
during times of disaster, it is equally important that resident understand the
hazards they face within their community and become self sustaining in the post
disaster environment for a minimum of 3 days or more. This self-sustaining
capability will allow sufficient time for governmental programs to provide
assistance as resources permit. The ability for the community to build selfsustainability from within is equally important. By neighbors helping neighbors,
and community groups working together, lives may be sustained during large
scale disaster. Community outreach and education program should continue to
emphasis the need for both individual sustainability as well as the important of
assisting neighbors and friends within the community.
22
Question 14: Preferred Means for Public Education

Respondents were asked to identify how they would like to continue to learn
more about disaster preparedness. Respondents were permitted to check
multiple boxes. Most stated that reading materials (56%) would be their
preferred method of education, however, a large percentage also expressed a
desire to receive live presentations (40%) and a substantial percentage chose
audio-visual education materials (28%).
Flyer (other reading material)
Live presentation
Video
Other
Total Responses
1099
796
562
120
56%
40%
28%
6%
2577
100%

The public education campaign should continue to build understanding of
hazards within the Glades area as well as provide tools for residents to be
prepared for these hazards. Evacuation plans must contain sufficient detail to
ensure that all family members understand the plan and that resources are
sufficient to implement the plan. Public outreach is still needed within the Glades
area as question number one and two of this survey revealed. With forty-two
(42) percent of resident still not prepared for a disaster, public outreach and
education efforts must continue to build understanding of the hazards and
appropriate response actions to take.
Recommendation
Working cooperatively, public and private organization should continue to
develop and implement educational opportunities within the Glades area. Palm
Beach County and local jurisdictions may consider coordinating more closely
with the business community to help distribute public information literature to
residents and employees. These outreach effort must educate the community
on the hazards they face and what actions they should take to ensure their
families are protected during a large scale disaster whether it be a hurricane, a
dike breach, or any other hazards which may potentially impact the community.
Respondents appear receptive to a diversity of medium for education. The
majority of resident stated a preference for written materials which they may
take home and share with their family members. A large number of
respondents, however, also expressed interest in live presentation and audio
visual materials.
Audio visual tools may be helpful to communicate specific
23
hazard scenario such as the level of flooding surrounding the dike failure
scenarios.
Engaging multilingual speakers to communicate disaster
preparedness message and ensuring that all writing materials are in distributed
in English, Spanish, and Creole/French is essential to any outreach campaign in
the Glades area.
24
Question 15: Preferred Location for Public Information

In order to better target outreach program, respondents were asked to state
their preference as to where they would like to receive additional public
education. Respondents were permitted to provide multiple responses. Most
stated that they would prefer to receive public education materials at home,
however, a large number also expressed that they like to receive education
within their church. A much smaller percentage expressed a desire for alternate
locations such as schools, town halls, and/or neighborhoods.
Question 15: Preferred Location for Public Education
Home
School
Other
Town Hall
Church
Neighborhood
Total Responses
1468
255
54
150
643
254
74%
13%
3%
8%
32%
13%
2824
143%

The preferred location for respondents to receive educational opportunities is
within their home (74%) and church (32%). Residents overwhelming expressed
a desire to have the ability to review materials within their home which would
also allow dialogue among family members. Though the percentages were much
lower, respondents stated that their second choice for locations was within their
church. With a large majority of the population active within faith-based
organizations, churches are a strong alternative for reaching the public.
Recommendation
Organizations developing outreach and education programs in the Glades area
should consider these two methods as primary target locations. With the
diversity of languages spoken in the Glades area, it is essential develop
materials in the multitude of languages including Spanish and Creole / French.
25
Attachment 1: Summary of Recommendations

Question 1& 2:
Level of Disaster Preparedness
Due to the large number of respondents who continue to be unprepared,

it is recommended that Palm Beach County, local governments, private
sector partners, and the media continue to conduct public education and
outreach activities to the communities in the Glades area.
Outreach efforts should emphasize comprehensive disaster preparedness

planning for families.
Education effort should instill the sense of individual responsibility which

will encourage individuals to be better prepared. By planning with friends,
family members, church communities, and other social networks, low
income families can overcome their perception that evacuation is not an
option due to a lack of financial resources. Pooling private resources and
encouraging neighbors to help neighbors will reveal further evacuation
options to individuals with limited financial resources.
Public officials should continue to educate residents on the public

transportation and sheltering options that have been developed to support
Glades area residents.
Question 3:
Evacuation Route
Due to the fact that evacuees are likely to travel in any of the possible
directions to leave the Glades area, it is vital that Palm Beach County
officials, coordinate evacuation decisions with neighboring counties to the
north (Martin County) and south (Broward County) to ensure that
necessary resources can be dedicated to support the evacuation needs.
Identification of receptions centers in the south (Bank Atlantic Center)

and the East (South Florida Fairgrounds) is essential is a fast breaking
sunny day breach scenario.
Question 3a:
Accommodation Choice
The current survey data reveals that approximately fourteen percent of

the surveyed population will seek public shelter. In a worst case scenario
the total shelter demand from the Glades area may be as high as 5,324
persons (14% of 38,026).
In a sunny day breach scenario, the shelter demand may be higher due to
flooded evacuation routes limiting movement and a lack of preparation
time.
26
Question 4:
Evacuation Means
Public service agencies should anticipate that the vast majority of the
Glades area residents will evacuate the area utilizing their private
vehicles.
Approximately 5000 residents will likely seek public transportation based

upon the results of this survey. Palm Beach County Palm Tran, in
cooperation with the Palm Beach County School Board District, have
developed plans to provide public transportation resources during a large
scale disaster.
Question 5:
Household Languages
In all phases of the disaster (preparedness, response, and recovery) it will

be essential to ensure that communications occur in English, Spanish and
Creole.
Alert and notification mechanisms (Dialogic, media, EAS) must occur in

three languages.
As evacuees leave the community and arrive at staging and shelter

facilities in Palm Beach and Broward Counties, response organizations
should ensure that they are able to communicate in multiple languages to
the arriving evacuees.
Question 6:
Household Family Member Age Distribution
This question points to some distinguishing characteristics of the Glades

community, which are not found in other areas of the county. This
population has a higher percentage of infants and children and a lower
percentage of adults over the age of 65. Disaster response organization
should keep these statistics in mind since it may require additional
services in the area of infants and childcare services and supplies as
compared to the needs of the elderly population.
Question 7:
Home Communications Technology
Communication technology within the home appears to be adequate to

continue to justify use of the primary alert and notification mechanisms
which include the general media, dialogic telephone notification system,
and Emergency Alert System.
The alert and notification system may be further augmented through the
NOAA weather radio system, but few households (16%) currently have
this radio in their home.
The need to install a siren system in the Glades area has been discussed
by local jurisdictions. This survey, however, does not substantiate the
need for an alternate alert and notification system such as a siren system.
27
Question 8:
Preferred Notification Means
The results of this survey reveal that the alert and notification process
identified in the Palm Beach County Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan and the Herbert Hoover Dike Evacuation Coordinating
Procedure are appropriate to achieve maximum public notification through
identified means including Dialogic, EAS, public media, and door to door
alerting.
Emergency Alert System announcements, however, are currently in

English only. The capability to expand this system to address multiple
languages would provide a great benefit to the community.
Standardized emergency notification messages have been developed in

English, Spanish, and Creole and are incorporated in the Herbert Hoover
Dike Evacuation Coordinating Procedure and should adopted by all
response organizations as appropriate.
Question 9:
Special Needs Family Members
The identification of persons with special needs in the Glades areas should
remain a priority. The current number of registrants is low and may not
reflect the potential number of eligible registrants within the community.
The provision of services to the special needs population is based upon
the identified needs within the community. With the low registration
figures, it is unclear if sufficient services will be available during times of
disaster. Public service agencies should continue to identify, quantify and
if necessary register individuals in all of the PSN population sub-groups
identified including communicable diseases and dialysis patients.
Working in partnership with public, private, and faith-based organizations,

develop additional strategies to enhance registration for assistance, and
determine the types of assistance and resources required to ensure a safe
evacuation from the impacted area. Determine the number of residents
likely to seek PSN and SCU needs shelters during an emergency.
Question 10:
Pet Ownership
In public outreach and education efforts continue to emphasize the need

for disaster preparedness plan for pets.
The county, local jurisdictions, and private organization should continue to

explore options for pets of evacuees to include pet transportation options
for evacuees on public transportation and pet sheltering options for
persons with special needs.
Question 11:
Financial Assistance for Home Mitigation
Based upon identified hazards, the local communities may seek to

identify, evaluate and prioritize high-risk residential structures. With the
increased threat posed by the Herbert Hoover Dike, homes within the
28
immediate flood zone of vulnerable reaches, may consider mitigation

options such as relocation or flood proofing.
Financial assistance programs which are available to assist residents to

mitigate their homes in the highly vulnerable Glades area should be
considered for implementation in this highly vulnerable area.
This survey reveals that residents are willing to consider the relocation
option as long as they relocate within the Glades area community. Local
communities may seek to identify the residential structures located within
the most vulnerable areas based upon the identified hazards.
Once structures have been identified and prioritized, funding sources

should be identified to mitigate residential structures including but not
limited to the relocation option.
The ability for the community to build self-sustainability from within is of

vital importance. By neighbors helping neighbors, and community groups
working together, lives may be sustained during large-scale disaster.
Community outreach and education program should continue to emphasis
the need for both individual sustainability as well as the important of
assisting neighbors and friends within the community.
Working cooperatively, public and private organization should continue to

develop and implement educational opportunities within the Glades area.
Palm Beach County and local jurisdictions may consider coordinating more
closely with the business community to help distribute public information
literature to residents and employees.
Outreach effort should educate the community on the hazards they face
and what actions they should take to ensure their families are protected
during a large scale disaster whether it be a hurricane, a dike breach, or
any other hazards which may potentially impact the community.
Respondents appear receptive to a diversity of medium for education. The

majority of resident stated a preference for written materials which they
may take home and share with their family members. A large number of
respondents, however, also expressed interest in live presentation and
audio visual materials. Audio visual tools may be helpful to communicate
specific hazard scenario such as the level of flooding surrounding the dike
failure scenarios.
Engaging multilingual speakers to communicate disaster preparedness

message and ensuring that all writing materials are in distributed in
English, Spanish, and Creole/French is essential to any outreach campaign
in the Glades area.
29
Question 15: Preferred Location for Public Information
Organizations developing outreach and education programs in the Glades

area should consider these two methods as primary target locations. With
the diversity of languages spoken in the Glades area, it is essential
develop materials in the multitude of languages including Spanish and
Creole / French.
30
Attachment 2: Survey Tool
31
32

Survey Disaster Preparedness

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary and Major Findings................................................1

Summary of Survey Results

Executive Summary and Major Findings

Sixty-four (64) percent of the population has developed an

In terms of evacuation routes, survey respondents indicate a

Seventy (70) percent of evacuees plan to evacuate to the home of

Eighty-seven (87) percent of evacuees will utilize a personal vehicle

Virtually all homes in the Glades area reported having television

Summary of Survey Results

Virtually all homeowners would be willing to accept financial

A quarter of the households report pet ownership.

Approximately seventeen (17) percent of respondents report

The community spirit within the Glades areas is revealed through

The number of persons registered for the special needs shelter is

Summary of Survey Results

Maite Roca, Project Hope

Summary of Survey Results

Evaluation of Survey Questions

Discussion of Survey Findings

Due to the large number of respondents who continue to be unprepared, it is

Summary of Survey Results

Question 2: Family Evacuation Plan

Discussion of Survey Findings

Summary of Survey Results

Question 3: Evacuation Route

Discussion of Survey Findings

Summary of Survey Results

Question 3a: Accommodation Choice

Discussion of Survey Findings

Question 4: Evacuation Means

Discussion of Survey Findings

Summary of Survey Results

Summary of Survey Results

Question 5: Household Languages

Note: multiple responses were permitted for this question

Summary of Survey Results

Question 6: Household Family Member Age Distribution

Summary of Survey Results

Question 7: Home Communications Technology

Discussion of Survey Findings

Summary of Survey Results

Question 8: Preferred Notification Means

Discussion of Survey Findings

Summary of Survey Results

announcements, however, are currently in English only. The capability to expand

Summary of Survey Results

Question 9: Special Needs Family Members

Special needs in the family

Discussion of Survey Findings

Summary of Survey Results

Summary of Survey Results

Question 10: Pet Ownership

Discussion of Survey Findings

Summary of Survey Results

Question 11: Financial Assistance for Home Mitigation

Question 11a: Reason for a No response

Summary of Survey Results

Question 12: Willingness to Relocate

Question 12: Willingness to Relocate

Discussion of Survey Findings

Summary of Survey Results

Question 13: Evacuation Assistance to Others

Discussion of Survey Findings