
Following the most devastating hurricane season in U.S. history, only 18 percent of adult residents living in the U.S. Gulf and Southern East Coast states, from Texas to Delaware(1), say their family is "very prepared" for a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or flood, according to a recent survey commissioned by The Home Depot and the American Red Cross as part of a three-year partnership to increase preparedness. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive.
Additional Key Survey Findings- Only 37 percent of Gulf and Southern East Coast residents are "concerned" or "very concerned" that they and their families will be in danger due to a hurricane or flood during hurricane season (June 1-November 30).
- Nearly one in three (31 percent) say they do not know how to protect their family and home from a hurricane.
- More than half (55 percent) do not have a disaster supplies kit, and more than two in five (47 percent) do not have an evacuation plan in case of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or flood.
- Only two in five (40 percent) are more concerned about the possibility of being impacted by a hurricane or flood now than they were three years ago.
"During the past two years, the hurricanes that have hit the Gulf region of the United States have had a devastating impact on millions of people and hundreds of local communities," said Paul Raines, president, Southern Division, The Home Depot. "These recent survey findings show us that continued education about hurricane preparedness is necessary. As part of our partnership with the Red Cross, we have developed a series of hurricane- readiness clinics in order to help our customers and neighbors better protect their families and homes."
Every Saturday from May 27-Sept. 30, 2006, The Home Depot will offer the in-store hurricane readiness clinics covering the following: How to Prepare for a Hurricane, ABCs of Hurricane Preparation, How to Protect Your Property From Wind, and How to Build Our Family Disaster Supplies Kit. The clinics will be held from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (local time) and offered on a four-week rotation schedule.