Maui County Hurricane and Tsunami evacuation survey to be released

A survey asking Maui, Molokai, and Lanai residents about actions they would take during a hurricane or tsunami will be mailed to randomly selected households in June.  The survey is sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Civil Defense and will be conducted by SMS Research.  Survey results will be used in preparedness and response planning for hurricanes, tsunami events, and other hazards.

Image Courtesy Pacific Disaster Center. To find out if you live in a tsunami evacuation zone, visit the PDC mapping site at: http://www.pdc.org/iweb/tsunami_zones.jsp and type in your address.

Families, care home operators, homeless shelter operators, and hotels may receive phone calls and mailers regarding this survey as well.  Participation is voluntary but encouraged by Civil Defense officials.

“Having a better idea of what people will do during an emergency will improve evacuation and emergency shelter plans,” according to Major General Robert G. F. Lee, Director of Civil Defense.  “Data gathered in this survey could help in deciding number of shelter spaces and give first responders and shelter managers a better idea of what to expect,” said Lee.

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares expressed the importance of the survey saying, “It’s one way that we can become better prepared, and the results will go a long way should a disaster impact our islands. Planning for our county’s disaster response and recovery needs is more effective when there’s information available that is specific to our neighborhoods,” said Tavares.

The Hurricane and Tsunami Evacuation Survey has been sent out for City and County of Honolulu, Kauai, and the Big Island.