A new survey released Tuesday shows that 38 percent of Americans report their communities were damaged by extreme weather events over the past year. The poll, conducted by the Walton Family Foundation and Gallup, indicates that destruction was most frequently reported by residents in the Southern United States.
The survey results come as the Trump administration continues efforts to reorganize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The agency, which manages federal disaster response and recovery, has faced scrutiny regarding staffing levels, budget reductions, and its overall handling of past disasters.
Earlier this month, the Senate confirmed Cameron Hamilton as the new FEMA Administrator following the departure of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. During his confirmation proceedings, Hamilton stated that the agency needs to "strike a new balance" that emphasizes cost savings while performing its duties.
Geographic data from the poll shows that 58 percent of residents in the East South Central region—covering Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee—reported community damage. In the West South Central region, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, 47 percent reported damage, while 43 percent of those in the Middle Atlantic region said their towns experienced destruction. The lowest rates were found in the Mountain region at 26 percent and the East North Central region at 28 percent.
The survey also indicates a concrete change in how these individuals view their personal agency and future security. Specifically, people in affected communities reported lower levels of confidence in their ability to "shape their own path," with only 62 percent feeling in control compared to 71 percent in undamaged areas. A majority of Americans—57 percent—now report worrying that further damage will occur within the next 12 months. This shift in sentiment suggests that for a large segment of the workforce and general population, extreme weather has moved from a rare occurrence to a persistent concern affecting long-term planning.
The poll’s release sets a benchmark for the incoming FEMA leadership under Administrator Cameron Hamilton. With 38 percent of the country reporting local damage, the agency's stated goal of prioritizing cost savings will be tested against the reported scale of community destruction. These findings provide a statistical baseline that policy experts and lawmakers may use to evaluate the effectiveness of federal disaster response and the ongoing reorganization of FEMA. The survey was conducted online between February 26 and March 6 among 6,732 adults, carrying a margin of error of 1.5 percentage points. Following Hamilton's confirmation earlier this month, the agency is expected to continue its transition under the new administrative priorities.