St. Clair County Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Survey Citizen input for natural disaster planning in St. Clair County, IL The St. Clair Hazard Mitigation Plan* is currently being updated by St. Clair County and East-West Gateway Council of Governments in coordination with a partnership of local governments. Since 2004, federal law has required local hazard mitigation plans be prepared and adopted in order for local cities to be eligible for hazard mitigation grant funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.This survey is designed to get your input about the impact of natural disasters on you and your community and find out what type of mitigation actions you believe are most important. The survey is short and should take five to 10 minutes to complete. The information you provide will help identify risks and preferred methods to reduce the impact of natural disasters in your communities. If you are interested in learning more about the St. Clair Hazard Mitigation Plan, please visit https://www.co.st-clair.il.us. Thank you for your participation!*The term “mitigation” means to make less harsh or severe. Hazard mitigation activities are actions that can be taken to protect people and property from natural hazards such as floods, severe storms, and extreme temperatures. Question Title * 1. Which of the following disasters have you or someone in your household experienced where you live now? (please check all that apply) Dam / Levee failure Drought Earthquake Extreme cold Extreme heat Flood Geologic hazards (landslide, subsidence, sinkholes) Hail storms High winds Ice storms Tornadoes Wild fire None Other (please specify) Question Title * 2. If you checked one or more of the hazards above, please indicate the type(s) of disasters experienced and their frequency. Multiple times each year About once a year Every few years Once or a few times in my lifetime Dam failure Dam failure Multiple times each year Dam failure About once a year Dam failure Every few years Dam failure Once or a few times in my lifetime Drought Drought Multiple times each year Drought About once a year Drought Every few years Drought Once or a few times in my lifetime Earthquake Earthquake Multiple times each year Earthquake About once a year Earthquake Every few years Earthquake Once or a few times in my lifetime Extreme temperatures (hot and/or cold) Extreme temperatures (hot and/or cold) Multiple times each year Extreme temperatures (hot and/or cold) About once a year Extreme temperatures (hot and/or cold) Every few years Extreme temperatures (hot and/or cold) Once or a few times in my lifetime Flood Flood Multiple times each year Flood About once a year Flood Every few years Flood Once or a few times in my lifetime High winds High winds Multiple times each year High winds About once a year High winds Every few years High winds Once or a few times in my lifetime Geologic hazards (landslide, subsidence, sinkholes) Geologic hazards (landslide, subsidence, sinkholes) Multiple times each year Geologic hazards (landslide, subsidence, sinkholes) About once a year Geologic hazards (landslide, subsidence, sinkholes) Every few years Geologic hazards (landslide, subsidence, sinkholes) Once or a few times in my lifetime Levee failure Levee failure Multiple times each year Levee failure About once a year Levee failure Every few years Levee failure Once or a few times in my lifetime Severe weather – summer Severe weather – summer Multiple times each year Severe weather – summer About once a year Severe weather – summer Every few years Severe weather – summer Once or a few times in my lifetime Severe weather – winter Severe weather – winter Multiple times each year Severe weather – winter About once a year Severe weather – winter Every few years Severe weather – winter Once or a few times in my lifetime Tornadoes Tornadoes Multiple times each year Tornadoes About once a year Tornadoes Every few years Tornadoes Once or a few times in my lifetime Wild fire Wild fire Multiple times each year Wild fire About once a year Wild fire Every few years Wild fire Once or a few times in my lifetime Question Title * 3. Please select the top three natural hazards or disasters you think are the greatest threat to your community considering both frequency of occurrence and potential for damage. Dam failure Drought Earthquake Extreme temperatures (hot and/or cold) Flood High winds Geologic hazards (landslide, subsidence, sinkholes) Levee failure Severe weather – summer Severe weather – winter Tornadoes Wild fire Is there another natural hazard not listed above that you think is a threat to your town or community? If yes, please list here: Question Title * 4. Does your street, home, or business regularly flood during periods of heavy rain fall? Yes No Question Title * 5. How long have you lived in your home? Less than one year One to four years More than four years Not applicable Question Title * 6. Do you own or rent your home? Own Rent Not applicable Question Title * 7. To the best of your knowledge, is your property in a flood plain? Yes No Not sure Question Title * 8. Which of the following mitigation project types do you believe local government agencies should focus on to help minimize or even eliminate the impacts caused by natural disasters? Check all that apply. Ensure essential facilities such as police, fire, emergency medical services, hospitals, schools, etc. are protected from natural disasters Replace inadequate or vulnerable low water crossings Fix infrastructure, such as improving drainage systems Work on protecting utilities (electricity, communications, water/wastewater facilities, etc.) Install or improve protective structures, such as floodwalls or levees Buyout flood prone properties and maintain as open space Strengthen codes, ordinances, and plan to require building standards that withstand natural disasters Inform property owners of ways they can reduce damage to their properties Assist vulnerable property owners with securing funding to reduce damage to their property(s) Other (please specify) Question Title * 9. Do you feel adequately informed you about the risks to your community from natural hazards or disasters? Yes No If no, please specify how local governments could provide better information on natural hazard risk. Question Title * 10. Do you have any other comments or concerns about the best way to go about trying to prevent damage and loss of life during a natural disaster? Question Title * 11. Please tell us a little about yourself. What is your home zip code? Question Title * 12. What is your age? Under 18 18 - 24 25 - 39 40 - 59 60 - 74 75 and above Prefer not to say Question Title * 13. What is your household income? Under $15,000 Between $15,000 and $29,999 Between $30,000 and $49,999 Between $50,000 and $74,999 Between $75,000 and $99,999 Between $100,000 and $150,000 Over $150,000 Prefer not to say Question Title * 14. What is the highest level of school you have completed or the highest degree you have received? Less than high school degree High school degree or equivalent (e.g., GED) Some college but no degree Associate degree Bachelor degree Graduate degree Trade school Prefer not to say Question Title * 15. What is your ethnicity? (Please select all that apply.) American Indian or Alaskan Native Asian or Pacific Islander Black or African American Hispanic, Latino/a, or of Spanish origin Middle Eastern or North African White / Caucasian Prefer not to say Other (please specify) Question Title * 16. How many people currently live in your house? 1 2 3 4 5 6 or more people Question Title * 17. Do you consider yourself to have a disability? Yes, I have a disability No, I do not have a disability Prefer not to say Thank you for your assistance in this important effort. Done
