Survey Disaster Preparedness

Summary of Survey Results i

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 1

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: - 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.

Pets: - A quarter of the households report pet ownership. Most owners

state that their evacuation plan includes their pet.

Mitigation: - 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: - 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:

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

Municipality Number of Surveys

Belle Glade 2101 Canal Point 29 Pahokee 91 South Bay 118 Other 106

Total 2445


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.

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.

Question 1: Disaster Preparedness

No 842 42% Yes 1176 58%

Total Responses 2009 100%


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 716 36% Yes 1284 64%


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 277 40% Other 12 2% No transportation 95 14% Lack of money 307 44%



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:


State Road 80 (Southern Blvd)- (east) 355 18% State Highway 715 (south or east) 234 12% County Road 827A (east) 29 1% US Highway 27 (south) 558 28% US Highway 98 (SR 98) (east) 57 3% County Road 880 (Old 80) (east) 135 7% Other Route: 224 11% Don't know 260 13% N/A - using public transportation 108 6%



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.


Family members 1005 50% Friends 396 20% Hotel 413 20% Public shelter 274 14% Other 59 3%



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.


Personal family car 1610 81% Friend's car 121 6% Other 33 2% Public transportation 221 11% Community, church, or employer van 10 1%



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.


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.


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:


English 1585 78% Spanish 530 26% Creole 194 10% Other 10 Less than 1%


Note: multiple responses were permitted for this question Discussion of Survey Findings

As documented from the general demographic profile of the region, multi-cultural 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.


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 713 11% Children 2095 31% Adults 3463 51% Adults Over 65 468 7%


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. Discussion of Survey Findings

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.


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.


Computer with internet access (Only) 630 31% Cellular Phone 1414 71% NOAA Weather Radio 321 16% Radio 1869 93% Television 1964 98% Phone 1691 85%



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.


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.


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


Telephone 1240 62% Television 1111 56% Radio 827 41% Door to Door 528 26% Siren 353 18% NOAA Weather Radio 36 2% Other 23 1 %



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.


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.

No Yes

Special needs in the family 1566 332

Percent of Special Needs Population with

Condition

Dialysis 34 10% Chronic medical condition 32 10% Mental health/Alzheimer's 18 5% Electric dependent 41 12% Oxygen dependent 45 14% Hearing/sight impaired 10 3% Physical impairments 73 22% Diabetic who is insulin dependent 90 27% Other 71 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


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.


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.


No 1458 75% Yes 483 25%



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.


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 340 19% Yes 1469 81%


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.


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 148 8% Yes 1798 92%



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.


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 534 28% Yes 1389 72%



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 self-sustainability 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.


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) 1099 56% Live presentation 796 40% Video 562 28% Other 120 6%



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


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.


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 1468 74% School 255 13% Other 54 3% Town Hall 150 8% Church 643 32% Neighborhood 254 13%



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.


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.


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.


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.



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.


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.


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.



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.


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


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.


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.


Attachment 2: Survey Tool

Table of ContentsExecutive Summary and Major FindingsMethodologyEvaluation of Survey QuestionsAttachment 1: Summary of RecommendationsAttachment 2: Survey Tool

Documents

Survey Disaster Preparedness