Disaster planning should take account of the fact that most people will think of others in an emergency. Too much information is likely to scare people into behaving erratically. It is sometimes thought that people are unable to handle information about a threat to themselves of their property, that it will cause panic of they will over-react. It is true that if information is incomplete, vague, or ambiguous, its effect on a group or community will be unpredictable and often unhelpful. However, on the other hand it has been found that people are reluctant to believe in the reality of a threat which is unexpected and outside their ordinary experience.
Some people refuse to be evacuated even when urged to do so by Police.
The evidence is that the majority of people react responsibly to the majority of people react responsibly to the information they are given. They usually check it and look to familiar people for guidance and leadership, such as friends and relatives, even if they are outside the threatened area. Sometimes, however the information is misleading of inaccurate. Information about an impending disaster should be provided by somebody known and trusted, or in an appropriate official position. It should be clear and concise about the nature of the threat, the likelihood of it occurring and the possible conditions which may affect it.