Last Updated: April 2026
Emergency Preparedness Statistics 2026: How Ready Is America for Disaster?
Despite decades of public awareness campaigns from FEMA, Red Cross, and state emergency management agencies, the majority of Americans remain dangerously underprepared for natural disasters, power outages, and other emergencies. This page compiles the most current data available on household preparedness rates, supply ownership, planning behavior, and the widening gap between perceived readiness and actual readiness.
Overall Preparedness Rates
57%
of Americans say they have taken steps to prepare for a disaster
— FEMA National Preparedness Survey, 2023
43%
of Americans have done nothing to prepare for a major emergency
— FEMA National Preparedness Survey, 2023
17%
of U.S. adults describe themselves as "very well prepared" for a major emergency
— Pew Research Center, 2022
37%
of Americans have experienced a presidentially declared disaster in their lifetime
— FEMA, 2023
Overall preparedness rates have remained stagnant for more than a decade. Despite increased federal spending on public outreach and a rise in severe weather events, the share of households taking meaningful preparedness actions has not significantly improved since 2010.
3 in 5
Americans say they would rely on government assistance in the immediate aftermath of a major disaster
— American Red Cross, 2023
60%
of Americans have not practiced or discussed what to do in case of a disaster in the past year
— FEMA Ready Campaign, 2022
1 in 3
U.S. households live in an area at elevated risk from natural hazards (floods, wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes)
— First Street Foundation, 2023
Emergency Kit & Supply Ownership
46%
of Americans have a 3-day emergency supply kit at home
— FEMA, 2023
54%
of households do not have a basic emergency supply kit
— FEMA, 2023
28%
of Americans have a fully stocked first aid kit at home
— American Red Cross, 2022
22%
of households have a battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio
— FEMA, 2022
48%
of Americans have extra prescription medications stored for an emergency
— CDC, 2022
31%
of households have a portable power bank or backup battery capable of charging a phone for 24+ hours
— Consumer Technology Association, 2023
19%
of Americans have copies of important documents (ID, insurance, medical records) stored in a waterproof container
— FEMA Ready Campaign, 2022
$150–$300
average cost to assemble a complete 3-day emergency kit for a family of four
— American Red Cross, 2023
Household Emergency Planning
39%
of households have a written household emergency plan
— FEMA, 2022
61%
of Americans have no written emergency plan for their household
— FEMA, 2022
32%
of households have practiced a home fire escape drill in the past year
— National Fire Protection Association, 2023
26%
of families have designated an out-of-area contact for emergencies
— FEMA Ready Campaign, 2023
44%
of pet owners have not made emergency plans for their animals
— American Red Cross, 2022
1 in 5
Americans with disabilities have a personal emergency preparedness plan
— CDC, 2022
53%
of households have not identified two exit routes from their home
— National Fire Protection Association, 2023
Water & Food Stockpiling
39%
of Americans have at least a 3-day supply of water stored at home
— FEMA, 2023
52%
of households have a 3-day supply of non-perishable food
— FEMA, 2023
1 gallon
per person per day — minimum water recommended by FEMA for drinking and sanitation
— FEMA Ready.gov, 2024
14%
of Americans have a 2-week or longer food supply stored
— Pew Research Center, 2023
72 hours
minimum duration FEMA and Red Cross recommend all households be prepared to be self-sufficient after a disaster
— FEMA Ready.gov, 2024
Vulnerable Populations
61 million
U.S. adults live with a disability — many face unique barriers to emergency preparedness
— CDC, 2023
35%
of older adults (65+) live alone, increasing vulnerability during emergencies
— U.S. Census Bureau, 2022
2x
more likely — low-income households are twice as likely to be unprepared for a disaster compared to higher-income households
— FEMA, 2022
37%
of households earning under $25,000/year have no emergency supplies at all
— FEMA National Preparedness Survey, 2022
Economic Impact of Unpreparedness
$92.9B
total U.S. disaster losses in 2023 — a record year for billion-dollar disasters
— NOAA NCEI, 2024
28
billion-dollar weather and climate disasters struck the U.S. in 2023 — a new annual record
— NOAA NCEI, 2024
$6,000
average out-of-pocket losses for households without adequate emergency preparation after a major disaster
— FEMA, 2022
30%
of disaster survivors report losing income for at least 30 days following a major event
— FEMA, 2023
The Awareness Gap
80%
of Americans believe they should be more prepared — but only 57% have taken any preparedness actions
— FEMA, 2023
70%
of Americans say they know how to prepare for a disaster — yet most are missing basic supplies
— American Red Cross, 2023
63%
of adults say they are confident in their ability to survive three days without outside assistance — yet only 46% actually have the supplies to do so
— Pew Research Center, 2022
Cite This Page
SurvivalLab. "Emergency Preparedness Statistics 2026: How Ready Is America for Disaster?" SurvivalLab, April 2026. https://survivallab.co/stats/emergency-preparedness-statistics-2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of Americans have an emergency kit?
According to FEMA's 2023 National Preparedness Survey, approximately 46% of Americans have a 3-day emergency supply kit at home. That means more than half of U.S. households lack even the most basic preparedness supplies recommended by federal agencies.
How many Americans have an emergency plan?
Only about 39% of U.S. households have a written household emergency plan, according to FEMA's 2022 data. Even fewer — roughly 26% — have designated an out-of-area contact, which is one of the most important and easiest steps in emergency planning.
Why are so many Americans unprepared for disasters?
Research consistently identifies three main barriers: (1) cost concerns — many believe preparedness is expensive; (2) optimism bias — people tend to underestimate their personal risk; and (3) inertia — knowing what to do but never getting around to doing it. FEMA's studies show that households that have experienced a disaster are significantly more likely to be prepared than those that haven't.
What is the minimum emergency supply recommended by FEMA?
FEMA's Ready.gov recommends every household maintain a minimum 72-hour (3-day) supply kit including: 1 gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, first aid kit, extra batteries, whistle, dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape, moist towelettes, garbage bags, wrench or pliers, manual can opener, local maps, and a cell phone with chargers. FEMA has also recommended expanding this to two weeks of supplies.
How does preparedness differ by income level?
Preparedness rates are strongly correlated with income. FEMA data shows that households earning under $25,000/year are approximately twice as likely to be completely unprepared compared to higher-income households. Cost is the most commonly cited barrier among lower-income respondents, though FEMA notes that a basic emergency kit can be assembled for under $50 using budget-conscious strategies.