2018 NATIONAL HOUSEHOLDSURVEY RESULTS
Preparedness in America

FEMA’s National Household Survey (NHS)
Six customized
hazards in the NHS
TornadoFlood• The NHS assesses how the culture of personal disaster preparedness andresilience has changed over time in the United States.
• FEMA has conducted this survey since 2007.
• The NHS is a telephone interview survey in which both landlines and cell
phones are selected randomly to answer a set of survey questions.

• FEMA selects a larger set of phone numbers in certain areas of the country
that are at higher risk of one of six hazards, to gain more information fromresidents in those areas. These are called “oversamples” (one oversample
Wildfiretaken for each of these hazards).

Hurricane

Earthquake

Urban Event*• In the 2018 NHS, FEMA interviewed 5,003 adults (aged 18 years and older).
− 2,000 were randomly selected from across the country (“national core”)− 3,003 additional interviews occurred within the “oversamples” (an additional 500 to
502 surveys for each customized hazard)* Urban Event respondents were asked questions focused on a nuclear explosion event.

www.fema.gov

2Increase the percentage of people who have taken preparedness actions

57%

of adults have pursued three or more of the six
basic preparedness actions.

Increase the percentage of people with savings set aside for an emergency

67%

$500

of adults have set aside some money
for an emergency.

Half of all adults have set aside no morethan $500 for an emergency.

www.fema.gov

3

What progress have we made in changing preparedness behavior?
• Behavior changes in people can take time, especiallya noticeable change happening at the national level.

• FEMA uses a Stages of Change Model to measure aperson’s attitude and behavior regarding preparedness.

• We need to recognize what makes a person change
behavior and decide to prepare for possible hazards.

• The process of changing one’s behavior occurs progressively
across five stages as shown below with recent survey results .

Stage 1: Precontemplation

Stage 2:
Contemplation

Stage 3:
Preparation

Stage 4:
ActionStage 5:MaintenanceI have NOT prepared, and
I DO NOT intend toprepare in the next year.

I have NOT prepared,
but I intend to prepare in
the next year.

I have NOT prepared,
but I intend to preparein the next six months.

I have been prepared
for the last year.

I have been preparing
for MORE than a year.
37%

The population is shifting from Stage 1 to Stage 3 and higher.
21%

34%
19%

19%
15%

17%

9%
15%

11%
Estimated Percentage in 2013

Estimated Percentage in 2018www.fema.gov

4What are the key influencers to hazard preparedness?
The NHS gathers information on four influencers of a person’s
decision to begin preparing for a future hazard.

Awareness ofInformation

Experience with
Disasters

Preparedness
Efficacy

Risk perception

43%

44%

47%

98%

have read, seen, or
heard information in thepast six months about
how to get better
prepared for a disaster

have personal orfamilial experience with
the impacts of adisasterbelieve that preparing
can help in a disasterAND are confident intheir abilities to prepare

acknowledge that theoccurrence of at least
one disaster type
could impact where
they live

www.fema.gov

5

To what extent are people taking action to prepare for a hazard?
Six basic preparedness actions lay the groundwork for pursuing other actions

Attend a local
meeting or training

Talk with otherson getting prepared

Make anemergency plan

Seek information
on preparedness

Participate in an
emergency drill

Gather supplies tolast 3 or more days

26%

38%

49%

51%

51%

81%

In 2018, 57% took three or more of these six preparedness actions,and 94% took at least one of these six actions.
www.fema.gov

6

Are people prepared financially for an emergency?

Percentage of adults having a
specific dollar amount or range
saved for an emergency:>$0 but
unknown

20%

$0

17%

$500

8%
9%
$3,000 to$5,00013%$1,000 to$2,99967%
of adults have set aside somemoney for an emergency.

33%>$5,000

Setting aside money
for an emergency$1 to $999

Half of all adults have set aside no
more than $500 for an emergency.

Holding property
insurance

79%
of households have homeowner’s orrenter’s insurance policies.

20%of households have aflood insurance policy.

www.fema.gov

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2018 Preparedness Profiles
Jim
Did not graduatehigh school

Olivia25 year-old female

MichaelAfrican Americanmale

Has set aside less than $1,000 for an
Has set aside very little, if any, money for Has set aside some money for anan emergency
emergency, but generally a small amount emergency
Would likely rely on public transit if
needing to evacuate

Would likely find other ways to evacuate
other than public transportation

Would likely rely on public transit if
needing to evacuate

Has not stocked supplies for a power
loss and has not read/seen/heard
anything to prepare

Taken several actions to prepare(connecting with others, seeking
information, drilling, stocking supplies)

Has not yet taken action to prepare andlikely has only enough supplies to last acouple of days with no powerHas low confidence in his own ability to
prepare and doesn’t think his actions will
make a difference

Recognizes that preparing would help
greatly in an emergency and is confident
in her ability to prepare

Is confident in his ability to prepare,
which is on par with other race groups

Feels that preparing is a hassle, costs
too much, and takes time, but eases
disruption and gives peace of mind.

Likes feeling good about being preparedand easing future disruption; concerned
about time and cost to prepare

Wonders how to start preparing and isconcerned about financial impact, time
investment, and being a general hassle

Does intend to prepare eventually

Recently prepared and will continue

Does intend to prepare eventually

Images: Freepik.com These profiles are composites representing people in the given demographic group based on 2018 NHS responses.

8

2018 Preparedness Profiles
MercedesMateo
Head of non-English
speaking household

Has a disabilityAnne
75 year-old female

Has no money set aside for an
emergency

Has no money set aside for an
emergency

Has set aside more than $5,000 for an
emergency

Would likely rely on public transit if
needing to evacuate

Would likely rely on public transit if
needing to evacuate

Would likely rely on public transit if
needing to evacuate

Has practiced an emergency drill andhas read/seen/heard information but has
taken no other preparedness actions

Stored documents in a safe place,Has not stocked any supplies to use indiscussed an emergency plan, andan emergency or taken other action
other than securing important documents knows how to get alerts and warnings

Recognizes that preparing would be
helpfulIs more concerned with her ability to
prepare than those with no disability

Is confident in her ability to prepare but
feels she should take more action.

Is concerned of the negative impact on
his household in investing time andresources to prepare for a disasterIs concerned about the hassle
associated with preparing

The hassle of preparing is more
important than the peace of mind andreduced risk of disruption that it brings

Not yet prepared but intends to improve

Completed some preparation over a year Has been prepared for a disaster forago (e.g., evacuate to a safe spot)
more than one year

Images: Freepik.com

These profiles are composites representing people in the given demographic group based on 2018 NHS responses.

92018 Preparedness Profiles
Grayson45-year-old white maleDaniel35 year-old fatherof twoAbigail
Cares for someone
with a disability

Has a nominal amount of money set
aside (less than older individuals, butmore than younger individuals)

Has about $1,000 set aside for an
emergency (prompted primarily due tosize of household)Has less than $700 set aside for an
emergency

Would likely not use public transportation
to evacuate

Would likely not use public transportation
to evacuate due to the size of his family

Would likely rely on public transit if
needing to evacuate

Has read/seen/heard information on
preparing but has not taken other action

Has taken action to prepare his family,
including seeking information and drillingHas taken action to prepare, including
getting information and emergency planHas high confidence in his ability to
prepare and that it helps in emergencies

Has fair confidence in his ability to
prepare and that it helps in emergencies

Has low confidence in her ability to
prepare and how it helps in emergencies

Knows preparing is important but isconcerned about negative impacts andon knowing how to prepare

Is concerned about preparation hassle,
time, and cost, and not knowing how to
prepare his family, but sees benefits.

Is concerned about not knowing how to
prepare and negative impacts but finds it
important to reduce risk of disruption

Intends to do more preparation

Intends to do more preparation

Has prepared for more than 1 year

Images: Freepik.com

These profiles are composites representing people in the given demographic group based on 2018 NHS responses.

10How does taking selected preparation actions
differ by hazard area?
Those residing in a hurricane area are more likely to report taking action
than those residing in other customized hazard areas.
These results focus on
preparation for any
hazard in general

Has Attended
Local Meeting

Has Talked
with Others*

Has Made an
Emergency Plan*

Has Sought
Information*

Has Participatedin a Drill

Has Gathered
Supplies for 3+ Days*

Tornado Areas

24%

40%

53%

50%

49%

74%

Flood Areas

29%

37%

47%

48%

51%

67%

Hurricane Areas

28%

50%

63%

66%

46%

86%

Wildfire Areas

28%

51%

55%

57%

49%

85%

Earthquake Areas

29%

41%

43%

51%

53%

78%

Urban Event Areas

24%

35%

42%

50%

46%

72%

Nationwide

26%

38%

49%

51%

51%

81%

* Percentages differ statistically among these hazards.

www.fema.gov

11National Preparedness Results
Legend: Gray = 2017 NHS; Blue = 2018 NHSTaking Action to Prepare for a Disaster

38%

81%
79%

Gather supplies tolast 3 or more days

40%

18%

29%

Talk with otherson getting prepared

Attend a local
meeting/training

Disaster Preparedness Influencers

98%

43%
98%

40%

Awareness of Information
on Disasters

Risk Perceptionof any Disasters

51%

26%

Seek information on
preparedness

51%

49%

45%

46%

Participate in an
emergency drill

Make anemergency plan

Perceived Preparedness for a Disaster
Stage 1: Precontemplation

Stage 2:
Contemplation

Stage 3:
Preparation

Stage 4:
ActionStage 5:MaintenanceI have NOT
prepared, and I DO
NOT intend toprepare in the nextyear.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next year.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next six months.

I have been
prepared for thelast year.

I have been
preparing for
MORE than a year.

47%

44%
43%

42%

Disaster Experience

Preparedness Efficacy
for Disasters

www.fema.gov

12Preparedness Results for Tornado Risk Areas
Legend: Gray = 2017 NHS; Blue = 2018 NHSTaking Action to Prepare for a Disaster

40%

74%
76%

Gather supplies tolast 3 or more days

44%

28%

37%

Talk with otherson getting prepared

Attend a local
meeting/training

Disaster Preparedness Influencers

98%

47%
97%

41%

Awareness of Information
on Disasters

Risk Perceptionof any Disasters

50%

24%

Seek information on
preparedness

49%

53%

55%

50%

Participate in an
emergency drill

Make anemergency plan

Perceived Preparedness for a Disaster
Stage 1: Precontemplation

Stage 2:
Contemplation

Stage 3:
Preparation

Stage 4:
ActionStage 5:MaintenanceI have NOT
prepared, and I DO
NOT intend toprepare in the nextyear.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next year.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next six months.

I have been
prepared for thelast year.

I have been
preparing for
MORE than a year.

48%

55%
29%

47%

Disaster Experience

Preparedness Efficacy
for Disasters

www.fema.gov

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Preparedness Results for Flood Risk Areas
Legend: Gray = 2017 NHS; Blue = 2018 NHSTaking Action to Prepare for a Disaster

37%

67%
78%

Gather supplies tolast 3 or more days

39%

16%

26%

Talk with otherson getting prepared

Attend a local
meeting/training

Disaster Preparedness Influencers

97%

44%
99%

43%

Awareness of Information
on Disasters

Risk Perceptionof any Disasters

48%

29%

Seek information on
preparedness

51%

47%

48%

47%

Participate in an
emergency drill

Make anemergency plan

Perceived Preparedness for a Disaster
Stage 1: Precontemplation

Stage 2:
Contemplation

Stage 3:
Preparation

Stage 4:
ActionStage 5:MaintenanceI have NOT
prepared, and I DO
NOT intend toprepare in the nextyear.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next year.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next six months.

I have been
prepared for thelast year.

I have been
preparing for
MORE than a year.

48%

46%
47%

42%

Disaster Experience

Preparedness Efficacy
for Disasters

www.fema.gov

14

Preparedness Results for Hurricane Risk Areas
Legend: Gray = 2017 NHS; Blue = 2018 NHSTaking Action to Prepare for a Disaster

50%

86%
81%

Gather supplies tolast 3 or more days

54%

21%

43%

Talk with otherson getting prepared

Attend a local
meeting/training

Disaster Preparedness Influencers

99%

64%
99%

60%

Awareness of Information
on Disasters

Risk Perceptionof any Disasters

66%

28%

Seek information on
preparedness

46%

63%

41%

58%

Participate in an
emergency drill

Make anemergency plan

Perceived Preparedness for a Disaster
Stage 1: Precontemplation

Stage 2:
Contemplation

Stage 3:
Preparation

Stage 4:
ActionStage 5:MaintenanceI have NOT
prepared, and I DO
NOT intend toprepare in the nextyear.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next year.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next six months.

I have been
prepared for thelast year.

I have been
preparing for
MORE than a year.

56%

72%
81%

54%

Disaster Experience

Preparedness Efficacy
for Disasters

www.fema.gov

15

Preparedness Results for Wildfire Risk Areas
Legend: Gray = 2017 NHS; Blue = 2018 NHSTaking Action to Prepare for a Disaster

51%

85%
78%

Gather supplies tolast 3 or more days

41%

21%

28%

Talk with otherson getting prepared

Attend a local
meeting/training

Disaster Preparedness Influencers

97%

53%
97%

47%

Awareness of Information
on Disasters

Risk Perceptionof any Disasters

57%

28%

Seek information on
preparedness

49%

55%

45%

44%

Participate in an
emergency drill

Make anemergency plan

Perceived Preparedness for a Disaster
Stage 1: Precontemplation

Stage 2:
Contemplation

Stage 3:
Preparation

Stage 4:
ActionStage 5:MaintenanceI have NOT
prepared, and I DO
NOT intend toprepare in the nextyear.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next year.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next six months.

I have been
prepared for thelast year.

I have been
preparing for
MORE than a year.

50%

39%
42%

41%

Disaster Experience

Preparedness Efficacy
for Disasters

www.fema.gov

16

Preparedness Results for Earthquake Risk Areas
Legend: Gray = 2017 NHS; Blue = 2018 NHSTaking Action to Prepare for Disaster

41%

78%
75%

Gather supplies tolast 3 or more days

40%

18%

29%

Talk with otherson getting prepared

Attend a local
meeting/training

Disaster Preparedness Influencers

99%

44%
99%

46%

Awareness of Information
on Disasters

Risk Perceptionof any Disasters

51%

29%

Seek information on
preparedness

53%

43%

46%

47%

Participate in an
emergency drill

Make anemergency plan

Perceived Preparedness for a Disaster
Stage 1: Precontemplation

Stage 2:
Contemplation

Stage 3:
Preparation

Stage 4:
ActionStage 5:MaintenanceI have NOT
prepared, and I DO
NOT intend toprepare in the nextyear.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next year.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next six months.

I have been
prepared for thelast year.

I have been
preparing for
MORE than a year.

50%

39%
39%

44%

Disaster Experience

Preparedness Efficacy
for Disasters

www.fema.gov

17Preparedness Results for Urban Event Risk Areas
Legend: Gray = 2017 NHS; Blue = 2018 NHSTaking Action to Prepare for Disaster

35%

72%
78%

28%

19%

Gather supplies tolast 3 or more days

Talk with otherson getting prepared

Attend a local
meeting/training

41%

Disaster Preparedness Influencers

98%

52%
97%

44%

Awareness of Information
on Disasters

Risk Perceptionof any Disasters

50%

24%

Seek information on
preparedness

46%

42%

44%

37%

Participate in an
emergency drill

Make anemergency plan

Perceived Preparedness for a Disaster
Stage 1: Precontemplation

Stage 2:
Contemplation

Stage 3:
Preparation

Stage 4:
ActionStage 5:MaintenanceI have NOT
prepared, and I DO
NOT intend toprepare in the nextyear.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next year.

I have NOT
prepared, but I DO
intend to prepare in
the next six months.

I have been
prepared for thelast year.

I have been
preparing for
MORE than a year.

46%

44%
42%

40%

Disaster Experience

Preparedness Efficacy
for Disasters

www.fema.gov

18

What are key takeaways from the 2018 NHS
on the culture of preparedness?
Preparedness
While a growing number of people are willingto invest time in preparation activities, about
11% still see no need to prepare

Taking Actions
While slightly more than half of the population
have taken at least 3 actions, opportunity
remains for increasing awareness around theimportance of taking preparedness actions

Preparedness Influencers
Ensuring people can get convenient
access to information on preparedness
can help increase preparedness behavior

Hurricane area residents
have higher percentages who have taken key
preparedness actions, have greater awareness,
and are more likely to be prepared

Higher education levels
are associated with increased financial
preparedness and hazard awareness

Awareness and preparation may vary by the hazard type and the approach to changing theculture should be customized by demographic groups and their individualized needs.
www.fema.gov

19

Look for more information about FEMA's research atwww.ready.gov/preparedness-research
For questions please contact: FEMA-Prepare@fema.dhs.gov