Part 1. Local Media

For each question, circle or check the answer that best applies to you.

Check all of the following that apply:

I have satellite service and cannot watch local channels
I have satellite service but can watch local channels
I subscribe to local cable
I can only receive local broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX) I don’t have satellite service or cable


Do you watch local news and/or local weather?

Yes
No (If no, skip to part 2)

 

Approximately how many times per week do you watch local news?

 

Do you have access to the internet either at home or work?

Yes
No
I don’t know

Have you ever visited any local news station’s website?

Yes
No
I don’t know


If yes, have you read any of the news personalities’ personal bios?

Yes

No

I don’t know

 

Which of the following weathercasters do you watch the most often?

Dave Brown WMC (NBC)
Leon Griffen WHBQ (FOX)
Tim Simpson WREG (CBS)
Brian Teigland WPTY (ABC)

Is this because:

This person has the best personality?

This person seems to be the best forecaster?

You like the news team of that station best?

This station just seems to have the best news?

This station has the best local coverage?

You simply leave this station on after an earlier program ends?

Other?

 

Approximately how many times per week would you say that you watch this weathercaster? Specify a number

 

The following questions measure the way you feel about your local weather person. Please answer all the questions as they pertain to the one weather person whom you watch most often. Choose the answer that most represents the way you feel about this person.

Respond to the following questions (about the weathercaster you watch most often) using a scale from 1 to 5, where 5 = Agree Strongly and 1 = Disagree Strongly

 

When the weathercaster reports the weather, he or she seems to understand the things I want to know

He/she makes me feel comfortable, as if I am with friends

I see this weathercaster as a natural, down-to-earth person

I look forward to watching him or her on the next newscast

If there were a story about him or her in the paper or a magazine, I would read it

I can identify with him or her

I miss seeing this weathercaster when he or she is on vacation

He or she has qualities that are similar to those of my friends

I like the way he or she handles problems that come up

I usually agree with what this weathercaster says

I place a great deal of trust in the recommendations this weathercaster makes during times of severe weather

I would be likely to take shelter if urged to do so by this weathercaster during severe weather

This weathercaster provides the correct amount of information about my area during his or her broadcast

This weathercaster’s ability to predict daily weather is above average

This weathercaster communicates information clearly

This weathercaster provides the information I need to know during severe weather

 

Part 2. Your experience with severe weather

For each question, check the answer that best applies to you.

Do you have a severe weather plan?

Yes
No
I don’t know


If you answered yes, what is this plan?

 

Do you have a safe place to go during a tornado?

Yes
No
I don’t know


If you answered yes, what sort of place is this?

Basement

Interior room

Outdoor storm shelter

Sturdy building not located at your home

Other, please specify

 

Do you believe your home would be safe in winds of 60 miles per hour?

Yes
No
I don’t know

 

Do you believe your home would be safe during a tornado?

Yes
No
I don’t know

 

When there is a threat of severe weather, where do you generally hear about it? (Check all that apply)

Local radio stations
Local television stations
A national news channel
The Weather Channel
The Internet
Word of mouth
NOAA weather radio
Other

 

Is/are any of these sources in your opinion more accurate than the others?

Yes
No
I don’t know

If yes, specify which is/are the most accurate

 

Do you have a NOAA weather radio?

Yes
No
I don’t know

 

Can you recall severe weather in your area in the past year?

Yes
No
I don’t know


If yes, did severe weather threaten where you lived at the time?

Yes

No

I don’t know

 

Do you recall seeing a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning come across the bottom of your television screen in the past year?

Yes
No
I don’t know

 

Do you recall any of the local weathercasters interrupting the program you were watching to give you severe weather information in the past year?

Yes
No
I don’t know


If yes, do you believe it was beneficial for them to do this?

Yes

No

I don’t know

 

Have you, or has anyone you know well experienced damage from severe weather?

Yes
No
I don’t know

 

Have you ever taken any safety precautions during severe weather, such as moving to a safe room?

Yes
No
I don’t know

 

Have you ever been urged to take actions during severe weather by the local weather person?

Yes
No
I don’t know

 

Have you ever discussed severe weather plans with a friend or relative?

Yes
No
I don’t know

 

If a tornado warning was issued for your county, how likely would you be to take shelter?

 


Part 3. Information


Which of the following describes the area in which you live? (Check any/all that apply)

North Mississippi
Mid South
Memphis Area
Mississippi Delta
During the past month, how many times have you been to Memphis or Shelby County?

If you’ve been to Memphis in the past 12 months, has this been for:

Work

Shopping

Visiting Friends or relative

A special event or entertainment

Other

Are you a member of a local church, synagogue or other spiritual community?

Yes
No
I don’t know

 

In the past 12 months, have you been involved with any other type of group or organization?

Yes
No
I don’t know

 

How often would you say that you talk with or visit your immediate neighbors? (These are the 10-20 households that live closest to you.)

 

Do you receive or purchase a daily newspaper?

Yes
No
I don’t know
 

If yes, which newspaper is this?

 

How long have you lived in Tate or Desoto County?

years (does not have to be exact)
What is the zip code in which you work?

What is the zip code in which you live?

How would you describe your home?

Do you own or rent this structure?

Do you have a vehicle available for your own use?
How would you describe yourself?
Regarding your education, what is the last category that applies to you?
What would you estimate your household income to be?
What is your sex?
What was your age on your last birthday?