When choosing a place to live, many individuals prioritize quality school districts, safe neighborhoods, and convenient access to recreational activities. However, an often-overlooked factor is a community’s ability to effectively handle natural disasters.
Recent findings by ClaimGuide indicate that many counties in California are ill-equipped to manage climate-related disasters. Notably, six of the ten counties ranked lowest for disaster preparedness in the United States are located in California.
The assessment by ClaimGuide utilized data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to evaluate the disaster preparedness of various counties across the country. In 2024 alone, California has suffered significant wildfire damage, with over 995,000 acres burned, according to Cal Fire. This includes the Park Fire, which is now recorded as the state’s fourth-largest fire. Additionally, severe flooding in San Diego at the beginning of the year resulted in the displacement of over 1,000 residents and caused extensive property damage, as reported by NBC 7 San Diego.
Amidst these events, one of California’s most significant threats—an anticipated major earthquake—remains imminent. Preparedness, however, appears to be lacking even on an individual level. A nationwide survey of 1,500 respondents conducted in May revealed that 61% do not have an emergency plan for severe weather, and slightly more than half lack an emergency supply kit. Conversely, a 2023 survey from FEMA, which gathered over 7,600 responses, indicated that 51% of Americans believe they are adequately prepared for natural disasters, while 57% have taken steps to prepare.
ClaimGuide’s research ranked California as the least prepared state for natural disasters, citing the high number of disaster declarations over the past decade and the substantial financial losses associated with climate events. Following California in preparedness are Florida and Texas. The economic toll of weather-related disasters in California has been staggering, with losses estimated between $100 billion and $200 billion from 2014 to 2024, according to ClaimGuide.
To effectively assess disaster readiness, ClaimGuide evaluated the relationship between a community’s risk of disasters and its resilience—defined as the ability to anticipate hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and recover swiftly.
Los Angeles County was identified as the least prepared county for climate disasters in the nation, primarily due to its low resilience score and high overall risk.
The following are the ten counties in America ranked lowest for climate disaster preparedness:
- Los Angeles County, California
- Harris County, Texas
- Riverside County, California
- San Bernardino County, California
- Alameda County, California
- Santa Clara County, California
- Miami-Dade County, Florida
- Orange County, California
- Broward County, Florida
- Palm Beach County, Florida
Residents are encouraged to take proactive measures to prepare for potential disasters, particularly as the likelihood of severe weather events continues to rise.
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