MIAMI -- While the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season starts Friday, a new survey finds that most people aren't prepared for it.

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According to a new Mason-Dixon poll released Thursday, 53 percent of coastal residents don't feel vulnerable to a hurricane or related tornadoes or flooding, and 88 percent have taken no steps to making their homes stronger since the historic hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005.

"Nearly two years after Hurricane Katrina shocked and horrified the nation, far too many residents are still unprepared for storms," said Bill Proenza, director of the National Hurricane Center. "Last year’s below-normal hurricane season may have resulted in coastal residents being lulled into a false sense of complacency. This hurricane season promises to be an active one, so it is imperative residents get ready before a storm catches them unprepared."

The survey, commissioned by the federal government, Salvation Army and other businesses, found that a high percentage of residents in hurricane-vulnerable states still aren’t prepared, don’t take the threat of hurricanes seriously and have big gaps in what they know about hurricanes –- even among those who live within 30 miles of the coast.

Besides being responsible for their own safety, 11 percent of residents surveyed are responsible for an elderly or disabled person. However, more than one-third of them say they have no plan for that person in the event of a hurricane.

"All residents, especially those who care for the well-being of friends, family members and pets, must have a disaster plan," said Craig Fugate, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. "Now is the time to get a plan before a storm looms -– not when a hurricane warning is issued."

Readiness, Knowledge Gaps Exist

The survey found that 52 percent have no family disaster plan, 61 percent have no survival kit, and 16 percent said they might not or would not evacuate even if they were ordered to do so.

Residents of hurricane-vulnerable states still have significant gaps in their knowledge of hurricanes and storm preparedness. One of the biggest gaps involved storm surge.

Seventy-eight percent of people didn’t know storm surge represents the greatest potential for a large loss of life from a hurricane, yet the rising waters can account for deaths as far inland as 20 miles.

More than half of residents also mistakenly believe tornadoes occur within three miles of the eye of the storm. In fact, tornadoes can result hundreds of miles from the eye of the storm, affecting residents far from the coast.

Citizens carry several misconceptions about storm preparation. Nearly 79 percent do not know storm intensity is the least reliable forecasting projection; residents may not realize that a category 1 or 2 storm can become a category 4 or 5 at landfall.

While attempting to protect their homes, the vast majority of people -– 96 percent -– didn’t know garage doors are the part of a home most likely to fail during a hurricane, yet garage doors can be easily strengthened at a modest cost with a reinforcement kit.

Too many residents of coastal states also believe candles belong in survival kits. To the contrary, candles and kerosene lamps pose a fire hazard, and so emergency experts recommend flashlights instead.

Almost half of respondents believed masking tape would keep windows from shattering; masking tape actually offers no protection at all.

"It is imperative to reinforce and protect your home. It only takes one gust of wind to break a window allowing storm winds and water to roll right into your house," said Rob Fee, president of Plylox. "Board up those windows, secure your garage doors, make sure you pick up all your lawn furniture, put your barbecue grill in the garage –- just be pro-active and plan ahead."

Emergency officials recommend taking steps to strengthen your home or business before storm season begins.

Be Prepared

The poll found that residents wait too long to make preparations.

One in four people indicated they would not begin to prepare their home until hurricane conditions were 24 to 36 hours away, and another one in five said they would not prepare their home until hurricane conditions were expected within 24 hours.

Many also wait until the last moment to buy food, water and medicine, quickly exhausting supplies on local store shelves.

Experts recommend keeping supplies for at least three days on hand for each member of the family and buying those supplies long before a storm approaches. However, 20 percent surveyed believed it was the government’s responsibility to provide essential supplies in the first few days after a hurricane -– or they weren’t sure who should be responsible.

"Every resident in a coastal state should have no less than three days worth of food, water and medicine," said Maj. Steve Hedgren of The Salvation Army. "While emergency officials and disaster relief organizations will work hard to help all storm victims, you must take personal responsibility and be prepared to sustain yourself for several days so that we are able to respond to those most in need, first."