Updated On January 27, 2026:

Delaware continues to stand out as the state with the fewest federally declared natural disasters since 1953, retaining its position as the least disaster-prone state in the nation.

• Delaware: Historically the fewest declarations of any state (21 disasters 1953–2024).

• Rhode Island: Slightly higher with around 22 total declared disasters.

• South Carolina: Has experienced approximately 30 declared disasters.

Other states with comparatively low disaster counts include:

• Michigan: Around 37 disaster declarations.

• Wisconsin: Around 47 declared disasters.

In contrast, states that have seen much higher totals include:

• California: Roughly 284 declared disasters.

• Texas: Approximately 255 declared disasters.

These totals reflect historical data through at least late 2024 and form the basis of ongoing rankings through early 2026.

Notes on Updated Counts

• Most recent data from FEMA’s Disaster Declarations Summaries are continually updated and reflect all disaster types (major disaster, emergency, and fire management assistance).

• Independent sources (such as USAFacts) confirm that Delaware has the fewest federal disaster declarations in the U.S., with Delaware reporting the lowest count of all states (~23 since 1980).

• Declared totals may vary by source depending on whether non-natural events (e.g., pandemics) are included. The original analysis you shared likely included all federally declared disasters since 1953; more recent datasets update these counts through 2025.

What This Shows

This updated information confirms that Delaware remains the state with the fewest federally declared natural disasters overall, and that the relative rankings of Rhode Island, South Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, California, and Texas have not materially changed in the newer analyses currently available

Original post from the Fall of 2024:

Delaware has experienced the fewest federally declared natural disasters of any state since 1953, according to a new analysis of disaster data. The state has faced a total of 21 declared disasters over the past 70 years, making it the least disaster-prone state in the nation.

The analysis, which examined the number of federally declared disasters in each state, found that Rhode Island and South Carolina also have relatively low disaster counts. Rhode Island has had 22 declared disasters, while South Carolina has experienced 30. The data highlights the geographic disparities in disaster risk, with some states facing a much higher frequency of natural disasters.

The analysis also found that states in the Midwest, such as Michigan and Wisconsin, tend to have lower disaster counts compared to states in other regions. Michigan has had 37 declared disasters, while Wisconsin has had 47. In contrast, states like California and Texas have faced a significantly higher number of disasters. California has had 284 declared disasters, while Texas has had 255. The high disaster counts in these states are largely due to their susceptibility to wildfires and hurricanes.