The document summarizes a study on students' awareness and perspectives regarding natural disasters and rebuilding after disasters. It describes the purpose of studying students' understanding of disaster impacts, rebuilding efficiency, and educating students. It outlines the methodology used, including a survey of 58 students. Key findings are that students prioritize public safety in rebuilding and feel New Orleans should relocate housing from problematic areas, while government and insurance should fund rebuilding. Most students lacked direct disaster experience. The document concludes students should educate themselves on regional disasters and prepare relief supplies, and provides recommendations and questions.

1. Why It’s Important To Be Aware of Natural Disasters Presented By: Choutae Yang Mike Maras Ryan Ryczek

2. Why You Need to be Aware of the Impacts of Natural Disasters If your not prepared and knowledgeable then natural disasters can be deadly Natural disasters can destroy houses and personal belongings When purchasing a home students need to be aware of problematic areas The insurance companies won’t cover all costs associated with natural disasters

3. The Purpose of this Study To help our fellow students understand the impact of devastating storms in both areas nationally and locally To determine if rebuilding these disaster areas are efficient in terms of the welfare of the surrounding population To encourage our fellow classmates to do more research on Natural Disasters and educate them on various aspects of the rebuilding process

4. Methodology Primary Research: A normative survey was completed by students attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in Fall 2008. Secondary Research: Internet (CQ Researcher and Wikipedia), published articles (USA Today), online database (EBSCO Host), and through a PBS interview.

5. Findings A sample population was surveyed that included 58 Business communication students from the Fall 2008 class taught by Dr. Marcia James. From the sample population of 58 students, 21 were female and 37 were male. After the surveys were tallied, the number of findings was concluded based on majority of the data.

6. Students’ Concerns About Rebuilding Disaster Struck Areas

7. Students’ Solution for New Orleans is to Relocate Outside of Problematic Areas

8. Government Funds Should Restore Damaged Property in Problematic Areas

9. Students Have Been Personally Involved in a Natural Disaster Or Know Someone

10. Most Students Have Been Associated with Tornadoes', Hurricanes, and Floods

11. The Extent of Damage to Students was Moderate

12. Most Areas Were Fully Reconstructed to Original Form

13. The Primary Location for Natural Disasters are Coastlines and The Midwest

14. It’s Peoples Right To Build In Problematic Areas

15. It’s Best To Engage in Proper Building Structures

16. It’s the Insurance Providers’ Responsibility To Cover Rebuilding Costs

17. Answers wouldn’t change if Respondents Lost their Home to a Natural Disaster

18. Conclusions Students view public safety/welfare and living conditions as the most important factors in rebuilding disaster struck areas. Students feel the solution for New Orleans is to relocate housing and buildings outside of problematic areas. Students believe that government funds should be used to restore damaged property in problematic disaster areas but that insurance should be the main group to cover rebuilding costs Students lack the firsthand experience of being involved or knowing someone involved in a natural disaster.

19. Recommendations Students’ should educate themselves on the potential natural disasters that could affect them in their region For students who have experienced disasters or know of someone who has, these students should check out the Web site: http://www.disastercenter.com/agency.htm, to find out what agencies can best help them Student’s should have disaster relief supplies at home and in their car in case of an emergency evacuation or an unexpected disaster hits

20. Questions