Campbell Residents More Worried About Earthquakes Than Floods

This is the last installment of three articles that take a closer look at the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Santa Clara County and all its cities, including Campbell.

Some Campbell residents said in a survey that they aren't worried about floods, even though officials said in a hazard mitigation report that dam failure could cause widespread flooding.

The online survey was conducted by the Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services last fall. Officials put out a call to residents asking what potential catastrophes worried them the most.

It was done so the county, with the input and participation of cities, could draw up the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The intent is to help agencies identify how to prevent safety hazards before and after major disasters.

Nearly 550 people participated in the survey; only 21 were from Campbell.

Nonetheless, here's what was on people's minds, county-wide, and indications of what Campbell respondents thought. (If you didn't have a chance the first time county asked for , this month is your opportunity.)

Highlights from the survey include:

• The No. 1 concern among county residents was the loss of potable water during a disaster, followed by earthquakes, loss of power, sewer backups and loss of telephone or cellphone service; Campbell residents put loss of power as the No. 1 concern, followed by loss of water.
• Only three Campbell residents said they’re concerned about floods, despite the fact the city could face flooding from Los Gatos Creek, especially if Lexington Dam were to fail. Most Campbell residents said they don’t need flood insurance. Only four of the 21 residents said they have the insurance. The city does participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, and all residents are eligible to purchase the national insurance, according to the city’s hazard mitigation report.
• The majority of respondents both countywide and in Campbell thought they had enough flashlights, batteries, blankets and canned food to last three days after a disaster;
• 71.5 percent of county respondents said they had no idea if neighbors had any special needs that might need attention after a disaster; 90 percent of Campbell residents said they had no idea about any special needs of neighbors.
• 158 people countywide said they have earthquake insurance, and 279 people said earthquake insurance is too expensive; almost 50 percent of Campbell respondents said such insurance was too expensive.