Demographic Characteristics, Sources of Information, and Preparedness for Earthquakes in California

This paper examines how demographic characteristics of California residents and their sources of information combine to predict earthquake preparedness and hazard mitigation. Telephone interviews were conducted in English or Spanish in 2008 with a sample of 2,081 California households selected by random-digit-dialing, supplemented with random sampling from geographic areas with higher proportions of Blacks/African Americans. Home ownership and higher income result in both more preparedness and more access to information. Although renters have equal access to most sources of information they are less likely than owners to have stockpiled supplies, invested in planning or nonstructural mitigation, or to know what to do during an earthquake. Insurance representatives and employers influenced more preparedness and hazard mitigation than groups that focus on increasing earthquake preparedness. The exception is the California Volunteers, who are the only group that has influenced preparedness by Spanish-speaking Hispanic immigrant populations.