Tornado Knowledge and Perceptions as an Influence on Safety Actions Taken: Preliminary Results

for DBER Group Discussion on 2013‐03‐28 Presenter, Department(s): Matthew Van Den Broeke Assistant Professor Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Title: Tornado Knowledge and Perceptions as an Influence on Safety Actions Taken: Preliminary Results Abstract: During fall 2012, 613 UNL students in introductory‐level science courses were surveyed. Questions asked included home location and years lived in Nebraska, source from which participants learned about tornadoes and tornado safety, general responses to tornado warnings, specific responses to the most recent tornado warning experienced, and a variety of questions designed to test knowledge of tornadoes and appropriate tornado safety actions. Preliminary results will be presented for a subset of this data, with a focus on: 1) Geographic differences in participant knowledge of tornadoes and tornado safety, 2) Relationships between source of tornado‐related knowledge, source of tornado warnings, and responses to tornado warnings, and 3) How perceptions of tornadoes may influence actions participants report to take when under a tornado warning. Tornado Perceptions Study: Preliminary Results Matthew Van Den Broeke Earth and Atmospheric Sciences 28 March 2013