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  1. Surveys
  2. 2014
  3. April
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  5. TOR_SURVEY1_MIRROR
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Your Thoughts and Opinions about Tornadoes


The purpose of this survey is to learn your thoughts and opinions about tornadoes, including your experiences with them. You do not need any special knowledge about tornadoes or weather forecasts to answer the questions.

Your responses will be used to better understand how people perceive and respond to tornadoes. This research will help improve weather forecasts in ways that can help protect people’s lives, so your responses are very important. This survey is for academic research purposes only.

Completing this survey is voluntary. All of your responses will remain anonymous. None of your answers will be linked back to you, so please respond as best as you can.

The survey should take you about 15-20 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for your responses!

Please start the survey now by clicking the "Next question" button below.
 
 
Q1. Please think about your most memorable tornado experience. That experience may have happened to you personally, or you may have learned about the experiences of another person (or other people). It may have been a time when a tornado actually occurred or when there was just the possibility that a tornado might occur. It may have occurred a long time ago or more recently.

a. Did that experience happen to you personally, did you learn about others' experiences, or both? (Please select ONE option.)
 
It happened to me personally.
 
It happened to other(s), and I learned about it.
 
Both – it happened to me personally, and it happened to other(s).
 
 
b. Did a tornado actually occur during that experience, or was there just the possibility of a tornado? (Please select ONE option.)
 
A tornado actually occurred.
 
There was the possibility of a tornado, but one did not occur.
 
 
c. Approximately what year did that tornado experience occur?
   
 
 
Q2. Continue thinking about your most memorable tornado experience. Your responses to this question are very important for understanding your experience in your own words. This is the only question of this type.
 
 
a. Please describe that experience. Focus on what you remember most clearly and your feelings about it.
   
 
 
b. How has that experience changed how you think about future tornado risks?
   
 
Q3. Continue thinking about your most memorable tornado experience. Below is a list of statements about the time leading up to that tornado threat. Please indicate how true each statement was for you, or indicate if it’s not applicable to you. (Please select ONE option for each statement.)
Not at all A little Somewhat A great deal Not applicable
The sky looked unusual that day (e.g., green clouds, dark clouds).
The air felt unusual that day (e.g., humid, calm, electric).
Animals (e.g., pets, farm animals, birds) acted unusually or were unusually absent that day.
I paid attention to the weather forecasts and warnings because I knew about the threat of tornadoes that day.
I was concerned about the threat of tornadoes that day.
People I know (e.g., family, friends, neighbors, coworkers) talked to me about the threat of tornadoes that day.
People I know were concerned about the threat of tornadoes that day.
There was news coverage (on radio, TV, or online) about the threat of tornadoes that day.
 
 
Q4. Continue thinking about your most memorable tornado experience. Below is a list of statements about the time during that tornado threat. Please indicate how true each statement was for you, or indicate if it’s not applicable to you. (Please select ONE option for each statement.)
Not at all A little Somewhat A great deal Not applicable
I tried to take action to protect myself or my loved ones (or someone tried to protect me).
I tried to get to my loved ones to be with them (or they tried to get to me).
I feared for my life.
I feared for my loved ones (e.g., family, friends, pets).
I worried about my home.
I saw the tornado or funnel cloud firsthand.
I saw other scenes of the storm firsthand (e.g., debris flying, trees bending or breaking, heavy rain or hail).
I heard sounds of the storm firsthand (e.g., sirens, the tornado, glass breaking, heavy rain or hail).
I heard or saw live news coverage (on radio, TV, or online) of the tornado as it was happening.
I had damage to my property (e.g., home, trees, car).
I was physically injured.
I lost irreplaceable items (e.g., photographs, heirlooms).
People I know (e.g., family, friends, neighbors, coworkers) had damage to their property (e.g., home, trees, car).
People I know were physically injured.
People I know lost irreplaceable items (e.g., photographs, heirlooms).
 
 
Q5. Continue thinking about your most memorable tornado experience. Below is a list of statements about the time after that tornado threat. Please indicate how true each statement was for you, or indicate if it’s not applicable to you. (Please select ONE option for each statement.)
Not at all A little Somewhat A great deal Not applicable
I was shaken up.
I thought about moving away.
I had trouble staying asleep and/or had dreams about it.
I had waves of strong feelings about it.
I thought about it when I didn’t mean to.
Pictures about it popped into my mind.
My life was disrupted afterward.
The lives of people I know were disrupted afterward.
I talked to others about what I experienced.
People talked to me about what they experienced.
Not at all A little Somewhat A great deal Not applicable
I saw scenes of the aftermath firsthand (e.g., damaged areas, downed trees, people injured).
I saw news coverage of the aftermath (e.g., people who were affected, images of damage, images of the tornado).
I volunteered to help others after the tornado.
Others volunteered to help me or my loved ones after the tornado.
Looking back, I took action to protect myself or my loved ones from the tornado threat that was unnecessary.
Looking back, responding to the tornado threat was an inconvenience.
 
 
Q6. People can have multiple experiences with tornadoes over the course of their lifetime. Please think about all of your experiences with tornadoes, and indicate how much experience you have with each of the statements listed below. (Please select ONE option for each statement.)

No experience A little experience Some experience A great deal of experience
I have been threatened by a tornado.
I have been under a tornado warning.
I have seen a tornado or funnel cloud firsthand.
I have heard tornado sirens firsthand.
I have taken shelter from a tornado.
I have left my home to flee from a tornado.
I have feared for my life due to a tornado.
I have feared for my loved ones due to a tornado.
I have worried about my home due to a tornado.
I have had property damage (e.g., home, trees, car) due to a tornado.
No experience A little experience Some experience A great deal of experience
I have heard or watched live news coverage (on radio, TV, or online) of a tornado as it was happening.
I have seen the aftermath of a tornado firsthand (e.g., damaged areas, downed trees, people injured).
I have seen news coverage about the aftermath of a tornado (e.g., people who were affected, damage, images of the tornado).
I have volunteered to help others who were affected by a tornado.
I have taken action to protect myself or my loved ones from a tornado threat that was unnecessary.
I have been inconvenienced by responding to a tornado threat.
I have been warned about a tornado that did not occur.
 
 
Q7. Continue thinking about all of your tornado experiences. Based on all of those experiences, please indicate how frequently you think about or do each of the statements below. (Please select ONE option for each statement.)

Never Rarely Sometimes Often
I get nervous during tornado season.
I pay extra attention to weather forecasts during tornado season.
I think about future tornadoes that might strike.
I watch the weather for possible tornado activity.
I notice when dark clouds approach.
I look for places where I can take shelter during bad weather.
I think about past tornadoes that have threatened me.
I have dreams about tornadoes.
I think about moving to where tornadoes aren’t as threatening.
 
 
 
Q8. Approximately what is the closest (in miles) that you have ever been to a tornado? If not applicable to you, type "NA".
   
 
 
Q9. On a scale from 0% to 100%, where 0% = “no chance” and 100% = “certain”, please indicate how likely you think it is that sometime in the next 10 years…
0% = No chanceCertain = 100%
…a tornado will hit your city or town.
-
…a tornado will damage your home.
-
...you will be personally injured by a tornado.
-
 
Q10. People understand tornadoes in different ways. In thinking about tornadoes generally, how strongly do you disagree or agree with the following statements? (Please select ONE option for each statement.)

Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
I am knowledgeable about tornadoes.
I am experienced with tornadoes.
I can control being physically harmed by a tornado.
I think that the threat from tornadoes is increasing.
I think that tornado damages extend to future generations.
I think that tornadoes may cause catastrophic destruction.
I think that tornadoes may cause widespread death.
I think tornadoes are hard to prepare for.
I think it is difficult to understand tornado forecast information.
I think tornadoes are very unpredictable.
I think that tornadoes pose great financial threat.
I can control the amount of personal property damage from a tornado.
 
 
Q11. People have different kinds of emotional responses to the threat of a tornado. In thinking about the possibility of you being in a tornado, how strongly do you disagree or agree with the following statements? (Please select ONE option for each statement.)

Thinking about the possibility of a tornado...
Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
…makes me feel dread.
…makes me feel fearful.
…makes me feel worried.
…makes me feel depressed.
…makes me feel courageous.
…makes me feel exhilarated.
…makes me feel alive.
…makes me feel capable.
 
 
 
Q12. In which of the following places would you most likely take shelter if you were threatened by a tornado while you were at home? (Please select ONE option.)
 
Basement, storm cellar, or safe room
 
Closet, hallway, bathroom, or other interior room above ground
 
Someone else’s home, public shelter, business, etc.
 
I would get in my car and drive away
 
I would not take shelter or drive away
 
Other (please describe)
 
 
Q13. How frequently do you use the following to receive forecast and warning information when a tornado threatens? (Please select ONE option for each.)
Never / Not applicable Rarely Sometimes Often Always
Television (e.g., TV meteorologists, news media, emergency broadcast system crawlers)
Commercial radio (e.g., emergency broadcast system alerts, news media)
Websites (e.g., weather forecasting sites, news media sites, Facebook)
Cell phone (e.g., weather app, text alerts)
Landline phone (e.g., reverse-911)
Sirens
NOAA Weather Radio
Family, friends, others
 
 
 
About You and Your Household


The remaining survey questions are about you and your household. All of your responses will remain anonymous. Your answers will be grouped with other people’s responses and will not be reported in any way that can be linked to you.
 
 
Q14. What is your age (in years)?
   
 
 
 
Q15. What is your gender?
 
Male
 
Female
 
 
Q16. What is your home 5-digit zip code?
   
 
 
 
Q17. Approximately how long (in years) have you lived anywhere in the dark grey boxed area shown on the map below?
   
 
 
 
Q18. How many people live or stay in your household, including yourself?
   
 
 
a. Of those people, how many are younger than 18?
   
 
 
 
Q19. Which of the following best describes the building that you live in? (Please select ONE option.)
 
A mobile home
 
A one-family house, detached from any other house
 
A one-family house, attached to one or more house(s)
 
A building with two or more apartments
 
A boat, RV, van, etc.
 
 
Q20. What is the highest degree or level of school that you have completed? (Please select ONE option.)
 
Did not complete high school
 
High school diploma or GED equivalent
 
Some college, technical school, or associate’s degree
 
Bachelor’s degree (e.g., BA, BS)
 
Master’s degree (e.g., MA, MS, MEng, MEd, MSW, MBA)
 
Professional degree or doctorate (e.g., MD, DDS, DVM, LLB, JD, PhD, EdD)
 
 
 
Q21. What is your present employment status? (Please select ALL that apply to you.)
 
Employed full time
 
Employed part time
 
In Armed Forces
 
Retired
 
Homemaker
 
Student
 
Unemployed

 
 
Q22. What is your race? (Please select ALL that apply to you.)
 
White
 
Black or African American
 
American Indian or Alaska Native
 
Asian
 
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
 
Other (please describe)
 

 
 
 
Q23. Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin? (Please select ALL that apply to you.)
 
No, not of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin
 
Yes, Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano
 
Yes, Puerto Rican
 
Yes, Cuban
 
Yes, another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin
 
Other (please describe)
 

 
 
 
Q24. What was your total household income for 2013 before taxes? (Please select ONE option.)
 
Less than $15,000
 
$15,000 - $24,999
 
$25,000 - $34,999
 
$35,000 - $49,999
 
$50,000 - $74,999
 
$75,000 - $99,999
 
$100,000 - $149,999
 
$150,000 - $199,999
 
$200,000 or more
 
Q25. How strongly do you disagree or agree with the following statements? (Please select ONE option for each statement.)

Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree
In uncertain times, I usually expect the best.
It’s easy for me to relax.
If something can go wrong for me, it will.
I’m always optimistic about my future.
I enjoy my friends a lot.
It’s important for me to keep busy.
I hardly ever expect things to go my way.
I don’t get upset too easily.
I rarely count on good things happening to me.
Overall, I expect more good things to happen to me than bad.
 
 
Q26. Please read each statement. Where there is a blank, indicate what your normal or usual attitude, feeling, or behavior would be. (Please select ONE option for each statement.)
Rarely (less than 10% of the time) Occasionally (about 30% of the time) Sometimes (about half the time) Frequently (about 70% of the time) Usually (more than 90% of the time)
I ____ like jobs where I can make decisions and be responsible for my own work.
I ____ enjoy being in a position of leadership.
I ____ need someone else to praise my work before I am satisfied with what I've done.
I am ____ sure enough of my opinions to try to influence others.
When something is going to affect me, I ____ learn as much about it as I can.
I ____ stick to my opinions when someone disagrees with me.
I ____ get discouraged when doing something that takes a long time to achieve results.
When part of a group, I ____ prefer to let other people make all the decisions.
I ____ prefer situations where I can depend on someone else's ability rather than just my own.
Having someone important tell me I did a good job is ____ more important to me than feeling I've done a good job.
 
 
 
If you have any additional thoughts to share, please write them below. Otherwise, click the "Finish and submit survey" button to complete this survey.
   
 
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