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were more likely to evacuate during a hurricane than those with weaker perceptions of social support. <br />• However, the size of one's social network did not predict whether or not the resident evacuated. <br />This needs assessment will investigate the factors that lead to participation in emergency preparedness <br />programs and the factors that influence perception of social connectivity. This study will examine whether <br />knowledge of the Neighborhood Liaison is related to higher perception of social connectivity. This study will <br />also aim to discern whether high levels of social connectivity result in hearing about and participating in <br />programs. Additionally, this study will investigate whether social connectivity is mediated by <br />sociodemographic variables. Finally, this assessment will identify the utilization of information sources, as <br />well as potency of associations between social connectivity, knowledge of community resources, perception of <br />threat and demographic variables. <br />Methods <br />Sample <br />Subjects were selected using a Fortran program to choose from Minnesota driver's license files with Falcon <br />Heights zip codes, 55108 and 55113. The program then matched cases to a list of street names and house <br />numbers that lie within the parameters of the city provided by Falcon Heights City Hall. After the files were <br />matched to zip code and street name, the total selected sample was 10,048. <br />Next, the program sorted and eliminated cases based on house numbers within the ranges of Falcon Heights. <br />These cases were sorted by odd or even numbers as appropriate, and the program eliminated University of <br />Minnesota student housing (1458 Cleveland Av), which reduced the total to 3184. <br />Cases were then selected by age range. Dates of birth from 09/01/1927 through 08/31/1985 made the total <br />2780. To ensure a recent sample, the program retained only those who had applied for their driver's license in <br />2000 or later, which made the total 2278. Finally, from these 2278, 500 subjects were selected using a <br />randomizing computer program. <br />• <br /> <br />