Manchester-by-the-Sea Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2025 Natural Hazards Survey

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* 1. During the past 15 years, in the community you currently reside in, have you or someone in your household directly experienced a natural disaster? This could be an earthquake, severe windstorm, flood, wildfire, or other type of natural disaster.

Yes

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* 2. How often have each of the following natural hazards occurred in your community?

	Once a year or more often	Once every 3-5 years	Once in a decade	Once in my lifetime	Never	Not sure
Flooding from precipitation (including dam overtopping)	Flooding from precipitation (including dam overtopping) Once a year or more often	Flooding from precipitation (including dam overtopping) Once every 3-5 years	Flooding from precipitation (including dam overtopping) Once in a decade	Flooding from precipitation (including dam overtopping) Once in my lifetime	Flooding from precipitation (including dam overtopping) Never	Flooding from precipitation (including dam overtopping) Not sure
Coastal flooding and storm surge	Coastal flooding and storm surge Once a year or more often	Coastal flooding and storm surge Once every 3-5 years	Coastal flooding and storm surge Once in a decade	Coastal flooding and storm surge Once in my lifetime	Coastal flooding and storm surge Never	Coastal flooding and storm surge Not sure
Coastal erosion	Coastal erosion Once a year or more often	Coastal erosion Once every 3-5 years	Coastal erosion Once in a decade	Coastal erosion Once in my lifetime	Coastal erosion Never	Coastal erosion Not sure
Average and extreme temperatures	Average and extreme temperatures Once a year or more often	Average and extreme temperatures Once every 3-5 years	Average and extreme temperatures Once in a decade	Average and extreme temperatures Once in my lifetime	Average and extreme temperatures Never	Average and extreme temperatures Not sure
Earthquakes	Earthquakes Once a year or more often	Earthquakes Once every 3-5 years	Earthquakes Once in a decade	Earthquakes Once in my lifetime	Earthquakes Never	Earthquakes Not sure
Tsunamis	Tsunamis Once a year or more often	Tsunamis Once every 3-5 years	Tsunamis Once in a decade	Tsunamis Once in my lifetime	Tsunamis Never	Tsunamis Not sure
Landslides and mudflow	Landslides and mudflow Once a year or more often	Landslides and mudflow Once every 3-5 years	Landslides and mudflow Once in a decade	Landslides and mudflow Once in my lifetime	Landslides and mudflow Never	Landslides and mudflow Not sure
Tornadoes	Tornadoes Once a year or more often	Tornadoes Once every 3-5 years	Tornadoes Once in a decade	Tornadoes Once in my lifetime	Tornadoes Never	Tornadoes Not sure
Hurricanes and tropical cyclones	Hurricanes and tropical cyclones Once a year or more often	Hurricanes and tropical cyclones Once every 3-5 years	Hurricanes and tropical cyclones Once in a decade	Hurricanes and tropical cyclones Once in my lifetime	Hurricanes and tropical cyclones Never	Hurricanes and tropical cyclones Not sure
Severe winter storms / Nor'easters	Severe winter storms / Nor'easters Once a year or more often	Severe winter storms / Nor'easters Once every 3-5 years	Severe winter storms / Nor'easters Once in a decade	Severe winter storms / Nor'easters Once in my lifetime	Severe winter storms / Nor'easters Never	Severe winter storms / Nor'easters Not sure
Other severe weather	Other severe weather Once a year or more often	Other severe weather Once every 3-5 years	Other severe weather Once in a decade	Other severe weather Once in my lifetime	Other severe weather Never	Other severe weather Not sure
Wildfires	Wildfires Once a year or more often	Wildfires Once every 3-5 years	Wildfires Once in a decade	Wildfires Once in my lifetime	Wildfires Never	Wildfires Not sure
Invasive species	Invasive species Once a year or more often	Invasive species Once every 3-5 years	Invasive species Once in a decade	Invasive species Once in my lifetime	Invasive species Never	Invasive species Not sure
Drought (including impacts to groundwater)	Drought (including impacts to groundwater) Once a year or more often	Drought (including impacts to groundwater) Once every 3-5 years	Drought (including impacts to groundwater) Once in a decade	Drought (including impacts to groundwater) Once in my lifetime	Drought (including impacts to groundwater) Never	Drought (including impacts to groundwater) Not sure
Changes in groundwater	Changes in groundwater Once a year or more often	Changes in groundwater Once every 3-5 years	Changes in groundwater Once in a decade	Changes in groundwater Once in my lifetime	Changes in groundwater Never	Changes in groundwater Not sure

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* 3. Please indicate how threatening each potential climate hazard might be to your community.

	Very threatening	Somewhat threatening	Not very threatening	Not a threat
Increased flooding	Increased flooding Very threatening	Increased flooding Somewhat threatening	Increased flooding Not very threatening	Increased flooding Not a threat
Sea-level rise	Sea-level rise Very threatening	Sea-level rise Somewhat threatening	Sea-level rise Not very threatening	Sea-level rise Not a threat
Increased extreme heat	Increased extreme heat Very threatening	Increased extreme heat Somewhat threatening	Increased extreme heat Not very threatening	Increased extreme heat Not a threat
Increased drought	Increased drought Very threatening	Increased drought Somewhat threatening	Increased drought Not very threatening	Increased drought Not a threat
Increase in severe storms	Increase in severe storms Very threatening	Increase in severe storms Somewhat threatening	Increase in severe storms Not very threatening	Increase in severe storms Not a threat
Increase in winter storms	Increase in winter storms Very threatening	Increase in winter storms Somewhat threatening	Increase in winter storms Not very threatening	Increase in winter storms Not a threat
Increase in wildfires	Increase in wildfires Very threatening	Increase in wildfires Somewhat threatening	Increase in wildfires Not very threatening	Increase in wildfires Not a threat
Increase in windstorms	Increase in windstorms Very threatening	Increase in windstorms Somewhat threatening	Increase in windstorms Not very threatening	Increase in windstorms Not a threat
Increase in heavy precipitation	Increase in heavy precipitation Very threatening	Increase in heavy precipitation Somewhat threatening	Increase in heavy precipitation Not very threatening	Increase in heavy precipitation Not a threat
Changing seasonal temperatures	Changing seasonal temperatures Very threatening	Changing seasonal temperatures Somewhat threatening	Changing seasonal temperatures Not very threatening	Changing seasonal temperatures Not a threat
Reduced snowfall and accumulation	Reduced snowfall and accumulation Very threatening	Reduced snowfall and accumulation Somewhat threatening	Reduced snowfall and accumulation Not very threatening	Reduced snowfall and accumulation Not a threat

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* 4. How vulnerable are the following community assets to extreme weather events and climate hazards?

	Very vulnerable	Somewhat vulnerable	Not very vulnerable	Not vulnerable
Private property	Private property Very vulnerable	Private property Somewhat vulnerable	Private property Not very vulnerable	Private property Not vulnerable
Critical facilities (transportation, communications, shelters, etc.)	Critical facilities (transportation, communications, shelters, etc.) Very vulnerable	Critical facilities (transportation, communications, shelters, etc.) Somewhat vulnerable	Critical facilities (transportation, communications, shelters, etc.) Not very vulnerable	Critical facilities (transportation, communications, shelters, etc.) Not vulnerable
Natural assets and open spaces (streams, wetlands, beaches, etc.)	Natural assets and open spaces (streams, wetlands, beaches, etc.) Very vulnerable	Natural assets and open spaces (streams, wetlands, beaches, etc.) Somewhat vulnerable	Natural assets and open spaces (streams, wetlands, beaches, etc.) Not very vulnerable	Natural assets and open spaces (streams, wetlands, beaches, etc.) Not vulnerable
Historic and cultural landmarks	Historic and cultural landmarks Very vulnerable	Historic and cultural landmarks Somewhat vulnerable	Historic and cultural landmarks Not very vulnerable	Historic and cultural landmarks Not vulnerable
Utilities (electric infrastructure, renewable energy, water/sewer, etc.)	Utilities (electric infrastructure, renewable energy, water/sewer, etc.) Very vulnerable	Utilities (electric infrastructure, renewable energy, water/sewer, etc.) Somewhat vulnerable	Utilities (electric infrastructure, renewable energy, water/sewer, etc.) Not very vulnerable	Utilities (electric infrastructure, renewable energy, water/sewer, etc.) Not vulnerable
Emergency services (police, fire, etc.)	Emergency services (police, fire, etc.) Very vulnerable	Emergency services (police, fire, etc.) Somewhat vulnerable	Emergency services (police, fire, etc.) Not very vulnerable	Emergency services (police, fire, etc.) Not vulnerable
Farms and agriculture	Farms and agriculture Very vulnerable	Farms and agriculture Somewhat vulnerable	Farms and agriculture Not very vulnerable	Farms and agriculture Not vulnerable
Public health and healthcare	Public health and healthcare Very vulnerable	Public health and healthcare Somewhat vulnerable	Public health and healthcare Not very vulnerable	Public health and healthcare Not vulnerable
Employment and childcare	Employment and childcare Very vulnerable	Employment and childcare Somewhat vulnerable	Employment and childcare Not very vulnerable	Employment and childcare Not vulnerable

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* 5. Natural hazards can significantly impact a community. Please tell us how important each statement is to you by checking the appropriate box for each.

	Very important	Somewhat important	Neutral	Not very important	Not important
Protecting private property	Protecting private property Very important	Protecting private property Somewhat important	Protecting private property Neutral	Protecting private property Not very important	Protecting private property Not important
Protecting critical facilities (hospitals, fire stations, transportation networks, etc.)	Protecting critical facilities (hospitals, fire stations, transportation networks, etc.) Very important	Protecting critical facilities (hospitals, fire stations, transportation networks, etc.) Somewhat important	Protecting critical facilities (hospitals, fire stations, transportation networks, etc.) Neutral	Protecting critical facilities (hospitals, fire stations, transportation networks, etc.) Not very important	Protecting critical facilities (hospitals, fire stations, transportation networks, etc.) Not important
Preventing development in hazard areas	Preventing development in hazard areas Very important	Preventing development in hazard areas Somewhat important	Preventing development in hazard areas Neutral	Preventing development in hazard areas Not very important	Preventing development in hazard areas Not important
Enhancing function of natural assets (streams, wetlands, beaches, etc.)	Enhancing function of natural assets (streams, wetlands, beaches, etc.) Very important	Enhancing function of natural assets (streams, wetlands, beaches, etc.) Somewhat important	Enhancing function of natural assets (streams, wetlands, beaches, etc.) Neutral	Enhancing function of natural assets (streams, wetlands, beaches, etc.) Not very important	Enhancing function of natural assets (streams, wetlands, beaches, etc.) Not important
Protecting historic and cultural landmarks	Protecting historic and cultural landmarks Very important	Protecting historic and cultural landmarks Somewhat important	Protecting historic and cultural landmarks Neutral	Protecting historic and cultural landmarks Not very important	Protecting historic and cultural landmarks Not important
Protecting and reducing damage to utilities	Protecting and reducing damage to utilities Very important	Protecting and reducing damage to utilities Somewhat important	Protecting and reducing damage to utilities Neutral	Protecting and reducing damage to utilities Not very important	Protecting and reducing damage to utilities Not important
Strengthening emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, etc.)	Strengthening emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, etc.) Very important	Strengthening emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, etc.) Somewhat important	Strengthening emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, etc.) Neutral	Strengthening emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, etc.) Not very important	Strengthening emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, etc.) Not important
Promoting cooperation among public agencies, citizens, non-profits, academia, and businesses	Promoting cooperation among public agencies, citizens, non-profits, academia, and businesses Very important	Promoting cooperation among public agencies, citizens, non-profits, academia, and businesses Somewhat important	Promoting cooperation among public agencies, citizens, non-profits, academia, and businesses Neutral	Promoting cooperation among public agencies, citizens, non-profits, academia, and businesses Not very important	Promoting cooperation among public agencies, citizens, non-profits, academia, and businesses Not important

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* 6. Which community assets are important to protect from extreme weather events and climate hazards?

	Very important	Somewhat important	Neutral	Not very important	Not important
Elder care facilities	Elder care facilities Very important	Elder care facilities Somewhat important	Elder care facilities Neutral	Elder care facilities Not very important	Elder care facilities Not important
Schools (K-12)	Schools (K-12) Very important	Schools (K-12) Somewhat important	Schools (K-12) Neutral	Schools (K-12) Not very important	Schools (K-12) Not important
Hospitals or urgent care	Hospitals or urgent care Very important	Hospitals or urgent care Somewhat important	Hospitals or urgent care Neutral	Hospitals or urgent care Not very important	Hospitals or urgent care Not important
Evacuation routes	Evacuation routes Very important	Evacuation routes Somewhat important	Evacuation routes Neutral	Evacuation routes Not very important	Evacuation routes Not important
Major bridges	Major bridges Very important	Major bridges Somewhat important	Major bridges Neutral	Major bridges Not very important	Major bridges Not important
Fire / police stations	Fire / police stations Very important	Fire / police stations Somewhat important	Fire / police stations Neutral	Fire / police stations Not very important	Fire / police stations Not important
Museums / historic buildings	Museums / historic buildings Very important	Museums / historic buildings Somewhat important	Museums / historic buildings Neutral	Museums / historic buildings Not very important	Museums / historic buildings Not important
Major employers	Major employers Very important	Major employers Somewhat important	Major employers Neutral	Major employers Not very important	Major employers Not important
Small businesses	Small businesses Very important	Small businesses Somewhat important	Small businesses Neutral	Small businesses Not very important	Small businesses Not important
Town hall / courthouse	Town hall / courthouse Very important	Town hall / courthouse Somewhat important	Town hall / courthouse Neutral	Town hall / courthouse Not very important	Town hall / courthouse Not important
Farms and agriculture	Farms and agriculture Very important	Farms and agriculture Somewhat important	Farms and agriculture Neutral	Farms and agriculture Not very important	Farms and agriculture Not important
Parks and recreation areas	Parks and recreation areas Very important	Parks and recreation areas Somewhat important	Parks and recreation areas Neutral	Parks and recreation areas Not very important	Parks and recreation areas Not important
Natural environment	Natural environment Very important	Natural environment Somewhat important	Natural environment Neutral	Natural environment Not very important	Natural environment Not important

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* 7. What community assets have assisted and aided the community's population through a natural hazard event, such as blizzards, flooding, and extreme heat? Please be specific and list the three most important that come to mind.

Example assets: gas stations, pharmacies, supermarkets, towing services, etc.

Asset 1

Asset 2

Asset 3

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* 8. What infrastructure has been impacted by natural hazard events in your community? Please be specific and list the three most important that come to mind.

Example infrastructure: roadways, municipal buildings, power utilities, water or sewer utilities, stormwater drainage, dams, etc.

Infrastructure 1

Infrastructure 2

Infrastructure 3

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* 9. Thinking about your response to Question #8, can you describe specific impacts to those infrastructure?

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* 10. What major employers, primary economic sectors, and commercial centers would severely impact the community and its ability to recover from a disaster if lost or inoperable?

Please be specific and list the first three most important that come to mind.

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* 11. Which populations, groups of people, or communities are less able to respond and recover during a disaster? Please be specific and list the three most important that come to mind.

Examples include: elderly populations, environmental justice populations, low-income communities, language isolated communities, priority populations, special needs schooling, mobility disabled persons, childcare, shelters, homeless, etc.

Population 1

Population 2

Population 3

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* 12. Thinking about your response to Question #11, are any of these populations living in high-risk areas? If so, where?

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* 13. Which natural resources are valued by your community and provide protective functions to reduce the magnitude of hazard impacts and increase community resiliency? Please be specific and list the three most important natural resources that come to mind, including the name and location if you know.

Examples: open spaces, wetlands and water bodies, trails, recreation areas, etc.

Natural Resource 1

Natural Resource 2

Natural Resource 3

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* 14. Thinking about your response to Question #13, what climate change or natural hazard impacts have there been on natural resources, if any?

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* 15. Please describe extreme weather events or climate hazards you feel are most significant for your community in the last 5 years.

Examples include: Hurricane Lee, January 2022 snowstorms, Winter Storm Riley, etc.

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* 16. Thinking about your response to Question #15, where are the high-risk areas?

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* 17. Regulatory and non-regulatory activities can reduce your community's risk from natural hazards. Please select the statement below that best matches your opinion.

I support government solutions to reduce natural hazard risk.

I support non-government solutions to reduce natural hazard risk.

I support a mix of government and non-government solutions to reduce natural hazard risk.

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* 18. Please check the box that best matches your opinion of the following strategies to reduce risk and loss associated with natural disasters.

	Strongly agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly disagree	Not sure
I support policies to prohibit development in areas subject to natural hazards.	I support policies to prohibit development in areas subject to natural hazards. Strongly agree	I support policies to prohibit development in areas subject to natural hazards. Agree	I support policies to prohibit development in areas subject to natural hazards. Neutral	I support policies to prohibit development in areas subject to natural hazards. Disagree	I support policies to prohibit development in areas subject to natural hazards. Strongly disagree	I support policies to prohibit development in areas subject to natural hazards. Not sure
I support the use of tax dollars (federal, state, and/or local) to provide landowner incentives to not develop in areas subject to natural hazards.	I support the use of tax dollars (federal, state, and/or local) to provide landowner incentives to not develop in areas subject to natural hazards. Strongly agree	I support the use of tax dollars (federal, state, and/or local) to provide landowner incentives to not develop in areas subject to natural hazards. Agree	I support the use of tax dollars (federal, state, and/or local) to provide landowner incentives to not develop in areas subject to natural hazards. Neutral	I support the use of tax dollars (federal, state, and/or local) to provide landowner incentives to not develop in areas subject to natural hazards. Disagree	I support the use of tax dollars (federal, state, and/or local) to provide landowner incentives to not develop in areas subject to natural hazards. Strongly disagree	I support the use of tax dollars (federal, state, and/or local) to provide landowner incentives to not develop in areas subject to natural hazards. Not sure
I support protecting historical and cultural structures.	I support protecting historical and cultural structures. Strongly agree	I support protecting historical and cultural structures. Agree	I support protecting historical and cultural structures. Neutral	I support protecting historical and cultural structures. Disagree	I support protecting historical and cultural structures. Strongly disagree	I support protecting historical and cultural structures. Not sure
I support incentives for homeowners to make their homes more disaster-resilient.	I support incentives for homeowners to make their homes more disaster-resilient. Strongly agree	I support incentives for homeowners to make their homes more disaster-resilient. Agree	I support incentives for homeowners to make their homes more disaster-resilient. Neutral	I support incentives for homeowners to make their homes more disaster-resilient. Disagree	I support incentives for homeowners to make their homes more disaster-resilient. Strongly disagree	I support incentives for homeowners to make their homes more disaster-resilient. Not sure
I support steps to safeguard the local economy following a disaster event.	I support steps to safeguard the local economy following a disaster event. Strongly agree	I support steps to safeguard the local economy following a disaster event. Agree	I support steps to safeguard the local economy following a disaster event. Neutral	I support steps to safeguard the local economy following a disaster event. Disagree	I support steps to safeguard the local economy following a disaster event. Strongly disagree	I support steps to safeguard the local economy following a disaster event. Not sure
I support improving the disaster preparedness of local schools.	I support improving the disaster preparedness of local schools. Strongly agree	I support improving the disaster preparedness of local schools. Agree	I support improving the disaster preparedness of local schools. Neutral	I support improving the disaster preparedness of local schools. Disagree	I support improving the disaster preparedness of local schools. Strongly disagree	I support improving the disaster preparedness of local schools. Not sure
I support the development / maintenance of a local inventory of buildings and structures most at-risk to natural disasters.	I support the development / maintenance of a local inventory of buildings and structures most at-risk to natural disasters. Strongly agree	I support the development / maintenance of a local inventory of buildings and structures most at-risk to natural disasters. Agree	I support the development / maintenance of a local inventory of buildings and structures most at-risk to natural disasters. Neutral	I support the development / maintenance of a local inventory of buildings and structures most at-risk to natural disasters. Disagree	I support the development / maintenance of a local inventory of buildings and structures most at-risk to natural disasters. Strongly disagree	I support the development / maintenance of a local inventory of buildings and structures most at-risk to natural disasters. Not sure
I support the disclosure of natural hazard risks during real estate transactions.	I support the disclosure of natural hazard risks during real estate transactions. Strongly agree	I support the disclosure of natural hazard risks during real estate transactions. Agree	I support the disclosure of natural hazard risks during real estate transactions. Neutral	I support the disclosure of natural hazard risks during real estate transactions. Disagree	I support the disclosure of natural hazard risks during real estate transactions. Strongly disagree	I support the disclosure of natural hazard risks during real estate transactions. Not sure

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* 19. What is unique about your community?

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* 20. What are the most important / influential institutions, organizations, or businesses in your community?

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* 21. What are the most prominent geographic features of your community?

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* 22. Please indicate how important the following potential impacts are to your community.

	Very important	Somewhat important	Not very important	Not important
Loss of natural resources	Loss of natural resources Very important	Loss of natural resources Somewhat important	Loss of natural resources Not very important	Loss of natural resources Not important
Decreased waterway and surface water quality	Decreased waterway and surface water quality Very important	Decreased waterway and surface water quality Somewhat important	Decreased waterway and surface water quality Not very important	Decreased waterway and surface water quality Not important
Decreased air quality	Decreased air quality Very important	Decreased air quality Somewhat important	Decreased air quality Not very important	Decreased air quality Not important
Decreased drinking water availability and quality	Decreased drinking water availability and quality Very important	Decreased drinking water availability and quality Somewhat important	Decreased drinking water availability and quality Not very important	Decreased drinking water availability and quality Not important
Decreased food security	Decreased food security Very important	Decreased food security Somewhat important	Decreased food security Not very important	Decreased food security Not important
Loss of plant and animal habitat and biodiversity	Loss of plant and animal habitat and biodiversity Very important	Loss of plant and animal habitat and biodiversity Somewhat important	Loss of plant and animal habitat and biodiversity Not very important	Loss of plant and animal habitat and biodiversity Not important
Increased invasive species presence	Increased invasive species presence Very important	Increased invasive species presence Somewhat important	Increased invasive species presence Not very important	Increased invasive species presence Not important

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* 23. What is your affiliation with the Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea?

Resident

Business Owner

Town Staff

Elected / Appointed Official

Non-Profit Organization

Regional Planning Agency

Representative from Abutting Community

Other (please specify)

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* 24. How long have you lived in the state of Massachusetts?

Less than 1 year

1-5 years

6-9 years

10-19 years

20+ years

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* 25. Do you own or rent your home?

Own

Rent

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* 26. Do you own / rent a:

Single-family home

Duplex

Apartment (3-4 units in a structure)

Apartment (5+ units in a structure)

Condominium / Townhouse

Manufactured home

Other (please specify)

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* 27. Whom would you most trust to provide you with information about how to make your household and home safer from natural disasters?

Please check up to three.

News media

Government agency

Insurance agency or company

Utility company

University or research institution

Neighbor / friend / family member

Elected official

American Red Cross

Other non-profit organization

Social media (e.g., Facebook)

Not sure

Other (please specify)

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