What Is the Scariest U.S. Natural Disaster?

It seems like no matter what season, the weather is in the news and the headlines are about natural disasters impacting homeowners from North Carolina to California and Montana to Texas.

From hurricanes to floods and wildfires to mudslides, we’ve seen our share of natural disasters hit the U.S. over the past few years.

What do you think the scariest natural disaster would be to experience? We decided to find out what Americans think about the scariest natural disasters by going right to the source.

We surveyed 2,000 people from across the country, asking, “What’s the Scariest Natural Disaster?”

The scariest disaster, with more than 50% of the vote, was tornadoes.

Earthquakes were next on the list of America’s fears with 24% of the vote, followed by hurricanes (19%), flooding (11%), mudslides (9%), and lightning (3%).

From coast to coast, major weather events have impacted Americans across the country this year. From an active hurricane season to the most damaging wildfire season on record, large weather events have impacted millions of people and caused billions of dollars in damages to home and business owners.

In the U.S., the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tracks major weather events across the country. Since 2010, there have been more than 75 severe weather events in the U.S., each causing more than $1 billion in property damages. These costly events included winter storms, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and droughts.

Tornadoes — More than 20% of homeowner’s insurance claims each year are wind-related. The U.S. experiences more tornadoes than any other place in the world. In the first half of 2020, there were 600+ tornadoes recorded in the U.S.

Earthquakes — There have already been four earthquakes larger than a 5.5 on the Richter scale in the U.S. this year, affecting residents across Nevada, Idaho, Utah, and Alaska. Learn more about the most earthquake-prone U.S. locations here.

Flooding — Just one inch of water can cause $25,000 in damage to a home. Here’s how to prepare your home in advance to reduce flood damages.

Mudslides — According to the CDC, landslides and debris flows cause 25 to 50 deaths annually in the U.S. Areas affected by wildfires are at greater risk for mudslides.

Lightning — The Insurance Institute reports an increase in homeowner’s insurance claims related to lightning damage by 11% over the past few years. In addition, damage totals are increasing in amount as homeowners add more smart devices to their homes.

The best way to protect your home and your family from a natural disaster is to prepare in advance.

That means identifying the major weather events in your area and understanding how they impact your home before an emergency. Next, create an emergency plan and kit that includes food and other supplies. Your plan should include emergency contact information, homeowner’s insurance details, and an evacuation plan.

Enlist a professional to help identify issues and fix small problems that could get much worse in an emergency.

For example, homeowners with basements may be impacted by flooding, which can cause expensive damage to their homes. To prepare for a flood in advance, waterproof your basement, install a sump pump, and move electrical hookups and appliances above the flood line. Make sure your sump pump is powered by a backup battery for the best results in an emergency.

While even the best waterproofing system can’t guarantee a dry home during severe natural disasters, small improvements by professionals can provide the best protection possible for your home.

To ensure your basement and crawl space are ready for any storm, trust Groundworks with all your waterproofing and encapsulation needs.

Don’t wait for the next heavy rain—schedule a free inspection today and let our experts fortify your home against water damage. Contact Groundworks now to secure your peace of mind before the storm hits.