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U.S. emergency preparedness statistics

Preparedness, by the numbers.

A plain-language reference for writers, researchers, and households looking at emergency plans, supplies, severe weather, and power interruptions in the United States.

Last updated September 29, 2026. Every figure below links to its primary source.

A useful starting point

The basics are worth knowing.

Preparedness is not a scorecard. It is the practical work of making the first hours easier to manage: water, light, warmth, medicine, communication, and the people you care about.

These figures bring together recent federal data on household readiness and the disruptions people may face. They are a reference, not a prediction for any one home or community.

611.3

Minutes without power

In 2024, the average U.S. electricity customer experienced 611.3 minutes of non-momentary interruptions when major events were included. This is an annual reliability measure, not the length of one outage.

Source: EIA, 2024 data

1.521

Interruptions per customer

The same 2024 EIA measure recorded an average of 1.521 non-momentary interruptions per customer, including major events.

Source: EIA, 2024 data

1,796

U.S. tornadoes in 2024

NOAA reported 1,796 preliminarily confirmed tornadoes in 2024, the second-highest yearly total since records began in 1950.

Source: NOAA, July 2025

58%

Adults 18–59 with a plan

In FEMA’s 2024 household survey, 58% of respondents aged 18–59 said they had an emergency plan.

Source: FEMA, 2024 survey

52%

Adults 60+ with a plan

In the same FEMA survey, 52% of respondents aged 60 and older said they had an emergency plan.

Source: FEMA, 2024 survey

67%

Adults 18–59 with supplies set aside

FEMA found that 67% of respondents aged 18–59 had emergency supplies set aside. Among respondents 60 and older, the figure was 72%.

Source: FEMA, 2024 survey

27%

Adults 18–59 who joined a drill

Only 27% of FEMA survey respondents aged 18–59 had participated in an emergency drill. The figure was 7% among respondents aged 60 and older.

Source: FEMA, 2024 survey

65%

Adults 18–59 with a family contact plan

FEMA reported that 65% of respondents aged 18–59 had a plan to contact family members. The figure was 57% for respondents 60 and older.

Source: FEMA, 2024 survey

69%

Adults 18–59 signed up for alerts

In FEMA’s 2024 survey, 69% of respondents aged 18–59 were signed up for alerts and warnings. The figure was 68% for respondents 60 and older.

Source: FEMA, 2024 survey

Methodology and sources

Built to be checked.

This page uses primary U.S. government sources. Household figures are shown exactly as FEMA reported them by age group. Electricity figures use the EIA’s national annual reliability measures and include major events where stated. We review this reference roughly monthly and update it when a core source publishes newer data.

Cite this page

Use the stable stat link.

When citing a number, link directly to that statistic’s source and to its stable section on this page. For practical first steps, see our emergency preparedness guide or start with the free checklist.