Survey says 75% of Americans aren’t prepared for a disaster

The Cummins survey found that three-quarters of Americans were unprepared for storms this hurricane season, as roughly half of respondents said they needed more critical supplies. (Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg)

The 2017 hurricane season was one of the most active on the books with three category 4 hurricanes making landfall, leaving millions of people without power and causing $265 billion in damage. An even more epic winter followed: the U.S. was pummeled by snow beginning in early October through April with a record four Nor’easters hitting in March.

Despite all the preparedness hype at the start of each hurricane season, a recent survey by Cummins Home Standby Generators found that most people (75%) still wished they had been more prepared for the storm. In fact, 52% wanted more food and water; 47% desired flashlights, batteries and phone chargers; and 66% wished they had backup power for their homes.