Americans expect storms to hurt economy

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WASHINGTON, May 15 (UPI) -- Americans expect extreme spring weather to hurt the economy and many say they will donate to storm victims, a poll released Sunday finds.

Rasmussen Reports said 64 percent of respondents believe floods and tornadoes in the South and Midwest will have damaging economic effects, 12 percent see benefits and 15 percent expect no impact.

Thirty percent say they have contributed funds or other aid to help people stricken by the bad weather or will do so. Forty-nine percent are not donating, and 22 percent are uncertain.

Thirty-six percent say the federal government should pick up most disaster relief costs, while 26 percent say the burden should fall on local authorities and 22 percent on individuals.

Half (51 percent) say recent severe weather is mainly caused by long-term global trends, but only 19 percent blame human activity.

The survey of 1,000 adults was conducted May 10 and 11 with a margin of error of 3 percentage points.