Personal Finance
States of Emergency: The Most Disaster-Prone States in the US
These states are magnets for hurricanes and other calamities
Hurricane season. Fire season. Flood season. Tornado season.
Just hearing it’s one of those times of the year can make hearts beat faster, and in some states more than others. You’ll want to know which states are more prone to natural disasters whenever you consider relocating, or think about your retirement years.
Though no place is completely safe from nature's fury, MoneyWise.com has checked Federal Emergency Management Agency data going back 66 years to find the states that tend to get hit hardest and most often. They're the ones where presidents have declared the most major disasters.
25. (tie) Nebraska
Major disasters since 1953: 65
Its central U.S. location means Nebraska endures severe weather coming from all directions, and during every season. Disasters have been declared in the Cornhusker State due to winter snow and ice storms, spring tornadoes, summer fires, and flooding virtually any time of year.
Find out if your state is in the top 25. And if it is, you’ll want to make sure you have solid emergency savings and plenty of insurance. See a countdown of the most disaster-prone states.
