TAMPA — Researchers at the University of South Florida want to know how you’re preparing for hurricane season and how it’s different from last year. 

What You Need To Know

Professor Jennifer Collins developed a survey aimed at getting a better understanding of residents' evacuation plans and how COVID-19 is playing a role in their decisions. 

A similar survey was released last year to aid emergency managers in making evacuation decisions and shelter accommodations should a big storm hit. That survey found that roughly 75% of people were more worried about the pandemic than the potentially devastating effects of a hurricane. 

“People were very fearful last year of going to shelters and places where people mass congregate. Now, we’re hoping to see a shift since we have safety protocols in place and these vaccines,” Collins said. 

Questions on this year’s survey include inquiries about a person’s vaccination status and where they plan to evacuate if they’re in a storm’s path. The information will be collected and analyzed before it is released to emergency management officials in other counties. 

“They’ll know how to deal with the shelter sizing and how much space can be used because this is completely different from a non-pandemic situation where people are packed in like sardines,” explained Marshall Flynn with the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. 

The survey is available to anyone 18+ who lives in an area that could be potentially affected by a hurricane. They will collect responses until June, but a preliminary research analysis will begin on May 15. 

Take the survey: