Florida ranks worst in disaster preparedness as Massachusetts leads with score of 6.10, study finds

WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 9, 2026 — Massachusetts tops the nation with a disaster preparedness score of 6.10 out of 10, while Florida ranks last at just 1.45, according to a comprehensive new study by MightyProbe. The rankings, which evaluate all 50 states on four key indicators, reveal stark disparities in readiness for natural disasters and emergencies.

The study comes as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reduces staff and the federal government shifts more responsibility to states. States with higher scores have invested more in mitigation projects and pre-disaster grants, and maintain a larger emergency workforce per capita.

Massachusetts achieved its top score through 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.

"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 MightyProbe spokesperson. "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 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 prevention. 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."

MightyProbe analyzed all 50 states using four 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.

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.

MightyProbe is a research organization that analyzes data to provide insights on critical issues affecting communities across the United States.