Residents of Florida are at greater risk during emergencies than those in any other state, according to a new study by MightyProbe that ranks all 50 states on disaster preparedness. Massachusetts tops the list with a score of 6.10 out of 10, while Florida ranks last with a score of just 1.45, highlighting a stark contrast in how well states can protect their citizens when disasters strike.
The study comes at a time when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reducing staff numbers and the federal government is shifting more responsibility to states. According to Mighty Probe, states with higher preparedness scores have invested more in mitigation projects and pre-disaster grants, and maintain a larger emergency workforce per capita.
Massachusetts achieved the highest overall score, driven by well-funded mitigation projects, substantial pre-disaster grant support, and a high number of emergency personnel per capita. Texas, California, North Dakota, and New York round out the top five, with scores ranging from 4.96 to 5.77. These states demonstrate a proactive approach to disaster management, investing in prevention and rapid response capabilities.
“Massachusetts tops the nation in disaster preparedness thanks to well-funded mitigation projects, substantial pre-disaster grant support, and a high number of emergency personnel per capita,” said a spokesperson for Mighty Probe. “These factors allow the state to respond quickly and efficiently when disasters strike, keeping communities safer.”
At the other end of the spectrum, Florida’s low score reflects a combination of minimal proactive mitigation projects, low pre-disaster grant investment, a moderate emergency workforce, and high reactive spending driven by frequent disasters. While the state spends heavily on recovery after hurricanes and storms, it is under-invested in preventing or mitigating them. Other low-ranked states include Arkansas, Louisiana, Oregon, and Idaho, all scoring below 3.10.
“Florida’s poor disaster preparedness ranking is not due to a single factor but a combination of minimal proactive mitigation projects, low pre-disaster grant investment, moderate emergency workforce, and high reactive spending,” the spokesperson added. “This leaves the state vulnerable and scoring poorly overall.”
Mighty Probe analyzed all 50 states using four key indicators: total disaster mitigation projects in 2024, disaster recovery spending from 2019 to 2024, pre-disaster mitigation grants in 2023, and emergency workers per 100,000 people. Each factor was normalized to a score out of 10, and the average produced an overall preparedness score. The rankings offer a benchmark for policymakers, emergency managers, and communities to assess readiness and invest in improvements.
Disaster preparedness is not just about funding—it saves lives. Residents in lower-ranked states may face longer response times and higher risks when emergencies occur. The full rankings and data are available online.
Mighty Probe is a research organization that analyzes data to provide insights on critical issues affecting communities across the United States. The company focuses on delivering actionable intelligence to policymakers, businesses, and the public.
Media Contact
Contact person: jack jolly
Company: Mightyprobe
Website: Mightyprobe.com