One-quarter ignore disaster evacuations

About one-quarter of U.S. adults say they ignore disaster evacuation orders and wait until the last minute to leave their home or seek shelter, a survey says. The survey by Allstate, conducted by FTI Consulting, also indicated 21 percent of U.S. adults have had their homes damaged by natural disasters, while 46 percent said they have not thought about or even discussed an evacuation plan or meeting place away from the home for their family. "There is a clear opportunity for people across the country to better understand the importance of following evacuation protocols," Mike Roche, Allstate's executive vice president of claims, said in a statement. Sixty-two percent of U.S. adults also said they have not prepared an emergency kit such as a well-stocked first-aid kit as well as a disaster-supply kit, Roche said. The disaster-supply kit should contain a supply of water and ready-to-eat, non-perishable foods, a weather radio, traveler's checks or cash, important papers, personal hygiene items, blankets, extra clothes and shoes. Fifty-six percent of homeowners and renters said they have not made a home inventory list of their personal belongings -- a room-by-room inventory, as well as photographs of personal belongings, Roche said. To help residents prepare for disasters, the "Be Aware and Prepare" section of Allstate's Web site provides assistance at http://www.allstate.com/be-aware-and-prepare.aspx. The telephone survey of 1,000 U.S. residents with homeowners or renter's insurance was conducted May 16 to 17 and 19. The survey has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.