(KOAM) -- Severe weather season is in full swing and SmileHub is helping people to understand the importance of being prepared for disasters.
SmileHub compared the 50 states across 14 key metrics, including disaster relief charities per capita to the presence of an enhanced disaster mitigation plan to the community resilience score.
Best States for Disaster Preparedness
According to SmileHub:
- Vermont
- Massachusetts
- Hawaii
- Alaska
- Rhode Island
- Pennsylvania
- North Dakota
- Utah
- Minnesota
- Delaware
Missouri ranked 31, Oklahoma ranked 36, Arkansas ranked 40, and Kansas ranked 45 on the SmileHub list.
Below is a full list of the key metrics used to determine the list.
Resilience Infrastructure & Support Capacity – Total Points: 40
- Disaster Relief Charities per Capita*: Full Weight (~5.71 Points)
- Physicians per Capita: Full Weight (~5.71 Points)
- Mental Health Counselors per Capita: Full Weight (~5.71 Points)
- National Guard Members per Capita: Full Weight (~5.71 Points)
- Medical Reserve Corps Members per Capita: Full Weight (~5.71 Points)
- Fire/Police Stations per Capita*: Full Weight (~5.71 Points)
- Access to a Computer or Smartphone: Full Weight (~5.71 Points)
Note: This composed metric includes the share of households with access to a computer and the share of adults owning a smartphone.
Disaster Prevention Planning & Funding – Total Points: 35
- Emergency Management Budget per Capita: Double Weight (~14.00 Points)
- Presence of an Enhanced Disaster Mitigation Plan: Full Weight (~7.00 Points)
Note: As of Jan 24, 2025, 16 states earned Federal Emergency Management Agency approval for their enhanced state mitigation plan. These states are now eligible to receive more funds under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program following a disaster declaration. To receive approval of an enhanced plan, a state must show that it has developed a comprehensive mitigation program and is capable of managing increased funding for its mitigation goals.- 0 - no disaster mitigation plan;
- 0.5 - accepted disaster mitigation plan;
- 1 - accepted enhanced disaster mitigation plan.
- Public Health Funding per Capita: Full Weight (~7.00 Points)
Note: This metric represents state dollars dedicated to public health per person (including federal grants directed to states from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Resources & Services Administration). - National Health Security Preparedness Index: Full Weight (~7.00 Points)
Note: The index considers six gauges of preparedness: Health security surveillance, community planning and engagement, information and incident management, health-care delivery, countermeasure management, and environmental and occupational health.
Disaster Risk & Lasting Damage – Total Points: 25
- Community Resilience Score: Full Weight (~8.33 Points)
Note: Community resilience is the ability of a community to prepare for anticipated natural hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions. A higher community resilience score results in a lower overall risk index. - Number of Climate Disasters Causing $1 Billion+ in Damage (1980 - Dec 31, 2024): Full Weight (~8.33 Points)
- Loss Amount From Climate Disasters Causing $1 Billion+ in Damage per Capita (1980 - Dec 31, 2024): Full Weight (~8.33 Points)
To see the full report, click here.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.