Majority oppose rebuilding New Orleans below sea level
FAIRFIELD, Conn.— According to a national poll conducted by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute, while the average donation to hurricane relief efforts topped $625, the majority of Americans seek more involvement from the U.S. Military in response to natural disasters. A slight majority of Americans said that they oppose rebuilding New Orleans below sea level.
“Through tag sales, donations at work, checks written to Catholic Charities and the American Red Cross, and through their kids' schools, Americans who donated to Hurricanes Rita and Katrina relief funds averaged $626.59. And, while three-quarters of donating Americans gave $150 or less, the average is impressive. With Hurricane Wilma impacting Florida, and disasters overseas, time will tell how long Americans can continue their impressive generosity,” stated Jerry Lindsley, director of the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute.
On Hurricane Relief…
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More than 7 out of 10 Americans, 71.4%, said they had donated (65.0%) or will donate (6.4%) money to Hurricanes Rita and Katrina relief funds. One-quarter, 26.7%, had not and 1.9% were unsure if they would.
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The average contributed to hurricane relief funds, among donors, was $626.59. Three-quarters (75.6%) said they had contributed $150.00 or less.
- While 65.6% of all survey respondents said they have strong or some trust that relief fund donations will be spent properly, 29.7% suggested they held very little or no trust at all. Some, 4.7%, were unsure.
- A majority of respondents, 51.7%, said they oppose rebuilding New Orleans below sea level. Another 38.7% support the rebuilding of New Orleans below sea level.
Researchers read the following to all respondents: “The recent hurricane disasters and the sluggish response by government at all levels have caused some to suggest a greater role for the U.S. Military in catastrophic natural disasters. Some support this new role because the Military is the federal institution most capable of quick response while others oppose massing federal troops in communities and suggest their training and purpose is not for operations on U.S. soil.” Over two-thirds, 68.9%, said they strongly or somewhat support making the Military the lead agency in disasters. Another 23.1% were strongly or somewhat opposed. Some, 8.0%, were unsure.
- In significant disasters, 39.1% said that Mayors and local officials should be most responsible for “first responder” efforts immediately following. Another 16.6% said Governors and state officials should be most responsible while 21.0% indicated the Federal Government and F.E.M.A. should handle first responder efforts. Others, 12.7%, 8.8% and 0.2%, indicated “a combination,” “all,” and “the military,” respectively.
Rating Hurricane Response…
- Researchers asked respondents, in retrospect and with some passing of time, to rate the response performance of local, state and federal officials to Hurricane Katrina which devastated New Orleans. The ratings for local, state and federal response were similar – 69.2%, 69.6%, and 68.0% indicated “poor” or “very poor” respectively. Those providing positive ratings of very good and good for local, state and federal efforts were 22.9%, 20.3% and 26.4% respectively.
- However, a majority of respondents, 60.4%, noted that local, state and federal response to Hurricane Rita was significantly improved (19.8%) or somewhat improved (40.6%). Others, 26.0%, suggested that response was “just barely improved” while 8.4% saw no improvement at all. Some (5.2%) were unsure.
EXPERT AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT
- Jerry Lindsley, Director, Sacred Heart University Polling Institute
To schedule an interview with Jerry Lindsley, please contact Funda Alp at 203-396-8241 or alpf@sacredheart.edu.
For related findings, visit:
http://www.sacredheart.edu/pages/4059_october_2005.cfm
http://www.sacredheart.edu/pages/3998_october_2005.cfm
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