With the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reducing staff and the federal government shifting more preparedness responsibility to states, a new study by MightyProbe reveals stark differences in how ready each state is to handle emergencies. Massachusetts leads the nation with a score of 6.10 out of 10, while Florida ranks last at just 1.45.
The study analyzed all 50 states on 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 come at a critical time when states are being asked to shoulder more of the burden.
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’s methodology provides 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.
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