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Extreme weather events like Hurricane Milton remind us how vulnerable we are to climate change and the importance of preparing for what lies ahead. Pew Research surveyed 8,638 U.S. adults from May 13-19, 2024, to understand Americans’ experiences and views on policies related to extreme weather.
Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Americans reported that their local communities have faced at least one of the five types of extreme weather event in the past 12 months: intense storms (51%), long stretches of unusually hot weather (46%), droughts (27%), rising sea levels (17%), or major wildfires (17%). Extreme weather is no longer an isolated occurrence.
There are slight regional differences: Half of Westerners and 54% of Southerners reported experiencing unusually hot weather, compared to roughly a third in the Northeast (36%) and Midwest (35%). Those in the South (59%) reported intense storms, followed closely by the Northeast (50%) and the Midwest (49%); only 39% in the West reported severe weather.
With the increasing frequency of extreme weather, many Americans are beginning to support policies that would help mitigate the effects of these disasters. The survey found that 73% of respondents support stricter building standards for communities at high risk, and a majority (57%) believe there should be more financial assistance to rebuild affected communities. Rising homeowner insurance costs are also a growing concern, with 40% of respondents saying that covering these expenses should be a priority.
In light of the recent extreme weather events, our thoughts go out to all those impacted by them.
Read the full report from Pew Research here.
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