These States Receive the Most Disaster Aid Every Year
From floods to tornadoes to winter storms, some states have more than their fair share of natural disasters. When hurricanes and other disasters strike close to home, they can wreak financial havoc and cause you to drain your emergency fund — or worse, your retirement savings. And, of course, these natural disasters often require government aid.
To pinpoint which states have had to deal with the costliest catastrophes, GOBankingRates examined the total federal disaster funding every state received over the past five fiscal years combined. The 35 states included in this list have all received at least $1 million in aid since 2013. The study also found the total number of major disasters declared in each state since 2007.
See the costliest natural disasters and which states required the most government aid.
Last updated: Oct. 13, 2020
Maine
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $1 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 88
Maine has needed disaster aid to cope with severe storms, severe winter storms, snowstorms and flooding in recent years.
Minnesota
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $1 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 294
Minnesota’s most common natural disasters are severe storms and flooding, both of which affected the state in 2013, 2014 and 2016 to an extent that they were deemed disasters by FEMA.
With a high frequency of natural disasters in the state, it’s no wonder Minnesota is one of the states with the least affordable home insurance.
Nebraska
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $1 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 541
Nebraska is prone to severe storms, which have made up the majority of the natural disasters in the state over the past five years. In addition, there have been winter storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds hitting the state.
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Illinois
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $2 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 256
In 2013, Illinois was hit with severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes. Fortunately, no FEMA-declared disasters have occurred in the state in more recent years.
South Dakota
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $3 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 340
South Dakota has experienced some extreme weather over the past five years, including severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, winter storms, snowstorms and straight-line winds. And in 2017, the Legion Lake Fire destroyed 47,000 acres of land.
District of Columbia
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $4 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 10
The biggest natural disaster to affect our nation’s capital in recent years was Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In the past five years, only a 2016 snowstorm was declared a disaster by FEMA.
Delaware
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $8 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 15
Delaware was hit by Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012, but over the past five years the only storm to qualify as a natural disaster in the state was a severe winter storm and snowstorm that occurred in 2016.
New Hampshire
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $13 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 115
Severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, severe winter storms, snowstorms and fires have all reached destructive enough levels over the past five years in New Hampshire to require federal disaster aid.
Arkansas
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $14 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 529
The majority of Arkansas’ natural disasters — both historically and over the past five years — have been severe storms. Flooding is the second-most common natural disaster in the state.
Back in 2008, Arkansas experienced hurricane damages from Ike, which is one of the costliest hurricanes to ever hit the U.S.
Kentucky
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $14 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 755
Severe storms, landslides, flooding and mudslides have made up the majority of natural disaster in Kentucky in recent years, but there were also two fires in 2016: the Eagles Nest Fire and the Southeastern Kentucky Fire Complex.
Because of its natural disasters, Kentucky is one of the least affordable states for home insurance.
Rhode Island
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $23 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 41
Severe winter storms and snowstorms have been the most common natural disasters in Rhode Island over the past five years, but historically the state has had more hurricanes than any other type of disaster.
Ohio
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $24 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 233
Although Hurricane Sandy occurred in 2012, Ohio was still dealing with the effects of the deadly storm the following year. In 2013, the state was granted federal disaster aid to help with severe storms and flooding due to the hurricane.
West Virginia
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $25 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 413
Disaster-level severe storms and flooding are fairly common in West Virginia, but in 2014 the state had to deal with a major chemical spill that left 300,000 people without access to safe tap water, The New York Times reported.
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Massachusetts
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $30 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 145
In 2013, the Boston Marathon Bombings were declared a natural disaster by FEMA. The terror attack killed three people and injured at least 264, CNN reported.
Colorado
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $52 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 69
Eight separate fires have been declared natural disasters in Colorado over the last five years.
Colorado has a high incidence of natural disasters compared to other parts of the country, so it’s not surprising that it’s also one of the least affordable states for home insurance.
Maryland
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $56 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 161
Two snowstorms, a severe storm with flooding and a severe winter storm have required federal aid in Maryland over the past five years. Overall, floods are the most common natural disaster in the state.
Tennessee
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $66 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 303
Tennessee has been affected by several disasters over the past five years, including severe storms, winter storms and fires. In 2016, wildfires in East Tennessee killed 14 people, injured nearly 150 others and damaged or destroyed more than 2,400 properties, The Washington Post reported.
Its costly disasters could explain why Tennessee is another one of the least affordable states for home insurance.
Virginia
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $75 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 472
Virginia was hit hard by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The storm caused mass flooding and millions of dollars worth of damage. In the Virginia Beach area, 1,400 homes reported some type of storm damage, WAVY reported. The state received $4.6 million from FEMA to aid with the storm’s aftermath.
Pennsylvania
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $127 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 274
Much of the aid Pennsylvania has received over the past five years has been for Hurricane Sandy. Sandy produced heavy rain and snowfall in Pennsylvania and created one of the largest power outages in the state’s history.
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Alabama
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $129 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 446
Severe storms, hurricanes and flooding are the most common disasters to hit Alabama. In 2017, the state was affected by Hurricanes Irma and Nate, which both caused power outages and flooding.
Previously, the state experienced significant damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which is one of the costliest hurricanes to ever hit the U.S.
Vermont
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $138 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 129
The type of disasters that typically strike Vermont are severe storms and floods, and the past five years have been no exception. The state has been hit with six severe storms from 2013 to 2018.
Connecticut
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $142 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 82
The majority of Connecticut’s recent aid — $139 million — has been for damage from two hurricanes: Irene in 2011 and Sandy in 2012. Connecticut has received $122 million in aid in the aftermath of Sandy, which caused storm surges and flooding on the state’s coast.
Georgia
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $157 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 698
Much of the aid Georgia has received since 2013 has been for damage from 2016’s Hurricane Matthew and 2017’s Hurricane Irma, which left three dead and 1.5 million without power, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Iowa
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $160 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 454
Floods have been the most common type of disaster in Iowa over the years. In fact, the state has experienced 27 floods since 1953, according to FEMA.
The frequency of natural disasters in the state could explain why Iowa is one of the states with the least affordable homeowners insurance.
North Dakota
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $175 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 308
Flooding in 2011 wreaked havoc in North Dakota and resulted in the $175 million in disaster aid the state has received over the past five years. About one-third of the homes in the town of Minot were damaged due to flooding.
North Dakota is one of the least affordable states for home insurance — but it’s probably worth it to buy it if you live there.
Missouri
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $208 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 1,251
Almost all of the aid Missouri has received over the past five years has been to pay for tornado and storm damage. Severe storms and flooding have been the most common disasters in the state since 1953, according to FEMA.
Tornadoes can be especially damaging to homes, which is likely why Missouri is one of the least affordable states for home insurance.
Mississippi
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $308 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 376
Mississippi has been hit by several disasters that have required federal disaster funding support — from tornadoes to flooding to hurricanes. The bulk of the aid — $262 million — has been for damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
It was also hit by Hurricane Rita in 2005, which is one the costliest hurricanes to ever hit the U.S.
South Carolina
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $555 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 319
The state bore the brunt of Hurricane Matthew in 2016, which was responsible for much of the aid it has received over the past five years. It was hit again in 2017 by Hurricane Irma, which led to severe flooding and power outages, CBS reported.
But South Carolina might experience another powerful hurricane in the next couple of days. USA Today reports Hurricane Florence is expected to bombard North Carolina and South Carolina with heavy rains and high winds. The Category 4 storm could be devastating. In fact, FEMA’s Jeff Byard reportedly said, “This is going to be a Mike Tyson punch to the Carolina coast.”
North Carolina
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $716 million
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 307
Most of the aid North Carolina has received — $453 million — has been for Hurricane Matthew, which struck the state in 2016 and produced deadly floods. That same year, the state was affected by the Chestnut Knob Fire and the Party Rock Fire, each of which burned thousands of acres.
Referring to the looming Hurricane Florence, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said, “Disaster is at the doorstep and is coming in,” reports NPR. “If you are on the coast, there is still time to get out safely.”
California
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $1.7 billion
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 209
Wildfires have been rampant in California over the past five years, and the fires that occurred throughout Northern California in 2017 were especially destructive. The 2017 fires burned 1.2 million acres of land, destroyed more than 10,800 structures and killed at least 46 people, The Washington Post reported.
Florida
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $2.61 billion
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 423
In 2016, Florida received $180 million in aid for damage done by Hurricane Matthew. It was also struck by Hurricane Hermine that same year, and Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Nate in 2017.
Because of the frequency of hurricanes and other natural disasters in Florida, it’s the state with the least affordable home insurance.
New Jersey
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $3.57 billion
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 197
Of the aid New Jersey has gotten, $40 million has been for damage from Hurricane Irene — which caused flooding when it hit in 2011. Much of the rest was for Hurricane Sandy, which damaged or destroyed gas and power lines, roads and bridges, the state’s transit system and thousands of homes and businesses. The hurricane almost caused Atlantic City to go bankrupt.
Texas
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $3.86 billion
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 1,256
Texas has been hit with dozens of disasters over the decades, from tornadoes to floods to fires. In 2017, the state received $2.44 billion in aid for Hurricane Harvey, which brought record-breaking rains to Texas and left an estimated 30,000 people without homes, according to CNN. Harvey is one of the costliest hurricanes to ever hit the U.S.
Louisiana
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $5.57 billion
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 461
In 2017, Louisiana was hit by both Tropical Storm Harvey and Tropical Storm Nate. And over the past five years, Louisiana still has received funding — $4.19 billion — for the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Katrina is the costliest hurricane to ever hit the U.S., a separate GOBankingRates study found.
New York
Federal disaster aid in the past five years: $16.06 billion
No. of declared disasters since 2007: 328
Funding for damage from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 accounts for the majority of aid New York has received. Overall, Sandy is one of the costliest hurricanes to ever hit the U.S. A big reason the damage was so extensive was that the storm wreaked havoc on New York City.
More States With the Most Federal Disaster Aid
The top 10 states that received the most federal aid for natural disasters are — unsurprisingly — mostly located in the South and on the East Coast. However, California broke into the top 10 because of its devastating wildfires.
Here’s a look at the top 10 states that received the most federal disaster funding over the past five years:
New York: $16.06 billion
Louisiana: $5.57 billion
Texas: $3.86 billion
New Jersey: $3.57 billion
Florida: $2.61 billion
California: $1.7 billion
North Carolina: $716 million
South Carolina: $555 million
Mississippi: $308 million
Missouri: $208 million
More From GOBankingRates
Methodology: To pinpoint which states have had to deal with the costliest catastrophes, GOBankingRates examined the total federal disaster funding every state received over the past five fiscal years combined. The 35 states included in this list have all received at least $1 million in aid since 2013. We also found the total number of major disasters declared in each state since 1953, when modern record-keeping began.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: These States Receive the Most Disaster Aid Every Year
