Most Disaster-Prone States (2024)

• California is the most disaster-prone state in the nation, with 282 disaster declarations since 2003. Although known for wildfires, the Golden State has endured eight severe storms in the past five years, the same number of storms that occurred over the preceeding 14 years (from 2003 to 2017). For context, severe storms produce hail of one inch or larger, have winds exceeding 57.5 mph or spawn tornadoes.

• Five states in the West are seeing a notable rise in the frequency of wildfires. Oregon, in particular, has seen the sharpest increase, with an average of six forest fires per year over the past five years — 85% higher than its 20-year average (3.25).

• Florida and Louisiana have faced nearly $3 billion in homeowner property damage from severe storms and hurricanes in the past five years — almost six times more than the combined damage from the next two most impacted states, New York and New Jersey.

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• Although wildfires are the most common natural disaster, hurricanes inflict the most damage. Since 2003, these storms have racked up $21 billion in property damage in the U.S., even though they occur only one-fourth as frequently as wildfires.

10 Most Disaster-Prone States

From 2003 to July 2023, the U.S. tallied 2,602 disaster declarations across all 50 states. California led the way with 282 disaster declarations, primarily resulting from 243 wildfires — an average of 12 wildfires per year. California also weathered eight severe storms in just the last five years, equal to the number faced in the previous 15-year period from 2003–2017. To put it in perspective, intense storms produce tornadoes, winds over 57.5 mph or hail of minimum.

Outside California, other Western states — such as Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada — prominently feature in the top 10 disaster-prone regions, largely due to the increased frequency of fire-related incidents there.

Southern states — like Texas, Florida and Oklahoma — also ranked in the top 10. Texas, with 136 wildfire declarations, ranked as the second most disaster-prone state in the country. Neighboring state Oklahoma — ranked No.3 overall— braved the most severe storms with 37 in total. Ranked as the No.8 most disaster-prone state, Florida faced 34 hurricanes — a number unmatched by any other state.

As the Frequency and Destructiveness of Wildfires Increases, the West Is Most Affected

Additionally, MoneyGeek compared the average number of wildfires that occurred annually between 2017 and 2023 with that of the last 20 years — specifically in states with more than 10 wildfires since 2003 — to understand how the frequency of wildfires has changed in the past five years. Notably, Western states, led by Oregon, are experiencing an alarming increase in wildfire frequency.

The five-year average for forest fires in Oregon reveals six incidents annually, representing an 85% surge compared to its 20-year average of 3.3.

Utah followed Oregon, with a five-year average rate that is 52% higher than its 20-year rate. Washington and Arizona are also among the top five, each recording an over 20% increase in the frequency of wildfires.

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Methodology

To identify the most disaster prone states in the U.S., MoneyGeek analyzed 20 years of disaster declaration data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Data was accessed in July 2023. Our total disaster declaration count of 2,602 covers all types of incidents across all 50 U.S. states including natural events, man-made disruptions and biological incidents, including COVID-19-related events from 2020. For the purposes of this analysis, we focused on wildfires, severe storms and hurricanes.

To assess the economic consequences and loss of life related to wildfires, severe storms and hurricanes, MoneyGeek conducted an examination of two decades' worth of data from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The focus of our examination was disasters that accrued damages amounting to at least $1 billion between January 2003 and July 2023.

To determine the states suffering the most financial impact from these disasters, we also examined homeowner property damage data from July 2018 to July 2023 from FEMA’s Housing Assistance Program, particularly its Individual Assistance program. This program offers financial support to households affected by disasters that are grappling with uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and severe needs.

Full Data Set