Two-thirds have never been personally hit by a major natural disaster
Core finding
In a Verasight survey conducted March 6-16, 2026, about two-thirds of Americans (66%) say they have not been personally affected by a major natural disaster. Three-in-ten (30%) say they have been affected at some point.
By timing, 11% report being affected more than ten years ago, 8% within the last six-to-ten years, another 8% within the last two-to-five years, and 3% within the past year. A combined 4% are unsure or decline to answer.
Topline distribution
Two-thirds have never been personally hit by a major natural disaster.
Have you been personally affected by a major natural disaster?
n = 1,000 · Mar 6–16, 2026 · MoE ±3.5%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Mar 6–16, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.5% |
| Module | Module 3: Elections, Civic Life, & the Environment |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044
Have you been personally affected by a major natural disaster?
Cite this question
Verasight Client Omnibus Survey #2026-044, fielded March 6-16, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.