Every year, hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters wreak havoc and cause billions in damages across the United States.
Just look at the recent devastation caused by hurricanes Milton and Helene, which left widespread damage in their wake.
And unfortunately, these extreme weather events are becoming more and more common.
Fortunately, the U.S. does a good job at tracking disaster data, so it’s rare you would be caught off guard by a natural disaster at the last minute.
That said, having a plan and the right resources ensures you’re always ready to respond in an emergency.
Below, we’ll cover the regions in the U.S. most prone to natural disasters, immigrant challenges during extreme weather events, and how to protect yourself and your family when they occur.
We’ll also offer practical tips for supporting loved ones back home in the aftermath of a disaster.
Natural Disasters in the U.S.
More and more across the United States, we’re seeing natural disasters increasing in frequency and intensity.
The average number of these events between 1980 and 2023 was about 8.5 per year. But in the past five years, that number has risen to an average of 20.4 events annually.
As for 2024?
Well, as of November 1, the U.S. has had 24 confirmed weather and climate disasters—resulting in 418 deaths, with each event causing material losses of over $1 billion.
Where Most U.S. Natural Disasters Are Happening
States vary in their exposure to natural disasters, with some being more prone to specific types. For example:
- California has experienced more than 280 federally declared disasters since 1953; mainly wildfires, floods, and earthquakes.
- In that same timeframe, Texas has had over 250 federally declared disasters, including fires, floods, and hurricanes.
- Meanwhile, other states most prone to disasters include Oklahoma, Washington, Florida, New York, New Mexico, Alabama, Colorado, Oregon, and Louisiana.
But it’s not just about the state you live in—the type of disaster you encounter may depend on your region.
Disaster Types Vary By Region
Some disasters, like extreme heat and thunderstorms, can occur anywhere in the United States.
For example, 90% of natural disasters across the US involve some kind of flooding, which tends to cause more economic damage, property loss, and deaths than any other weather-related emergency.
That said, different types of disasters occur more often in certain parts of the U.S.
For example, the mid-Atlantic and New England regions are prone to hurricanes and winter storms; while people living in the Midwest are more likely to experience tornados, earthquakes and wildfires.
Why Immigrants Are Often More Vulnerable
While natural disasters hit hard, they don’t affect everyone the same way.
Immigrants living in the U.S. often face unique challenges that make them more vulnerable during extreme weather events.
Here are some factors that put them at greater risk.
Language Barriers and Limited Access to Information
For many immigrants, English is not their first language—and disaster-related information is not always available in their native tongues.
This can make it difficult if not impossible to understand evacuation orders, shelter locations, and even basic instructions about staying safe.
Fear of Deportation and Legal Status
Especially for undocumented immigrants, the fear of deportation is real—and this can prevent many from seeking medical care, going to a shelter, or simply reporting a dangerous situation in times of crisis.
Even legal immigrants may avoid seeking assistance due to confusion over eligibility or concerns about stricter immigration policies.
Lack of Infrastructure and Support Networks
In some cases, immigrants may live in neighborhoods where basic services like healthcare, housing, or transportation are already lacking. So, when a natural disaster hits, these issues are amplified.
For example, without reliable transportation, immigrants may struggle to evacuate the area when necessary.
Moreover, while some would turn to family, friends, or neighbors for help, many immigrants don’t have established connections within their communities—meaning they have nowhere to turn when disaster strikes.
Employment Vulnerability
Many immigrants work in low-wage, seasonal jobs that are often dangerous and poorly regulated.
Take migrant farmworkers, for example. They may fear losing their income if they stop working during a storm or heatwave, so they continue working in unsafe conditions.
Many of these workers are also undocumented, which adds another layer of vulnerability.
Even those who are legally employed may face challenges if they are excluded from essential benefits like paid sick leave or unemployment insurance. Without this support, it becomes even harder for them to recover from disasters.
Natural Disaster Preparedness for Immigrants
You may not be able to completely avoid the impact when a natural disaster strikes. However, doing these things can make all the difference in staying calm and safe in a crisis.
Create an Emergency Plan
For immigrant families, it’s especially important to have a solid emergency plan already in place, so you’re not scrambling when things go wrong.
Your plan should:
- Identify safe evacuation routes: Make sure everyone knows how to get out of the house if needed. Have a few different routes planned in case one gets blocked by debris, fire, or flooding.
- Establish a meeting point: Family members may get separated during a natural disaster. Moreover, phones and the internet may stop working, making it hard to find one another. Agree on a place where you can all gather if something happens, like a nearby park, a friend’s house, or a local community center.
- List emergency contacts: Make a list of people to contact during a disaster. Include contacts here in the U.S. including friends, local organizations, support groups, and religious centers. It’s also a good idea to designate a family member in your home country as a main point of contact for updates, in case local communication is disrupted.
- Be practiced regularly: Once you’ve created your plan, don’t just set it aside and forget about it. Practice it with everyone, even the kids. The more familiar they are with the steps, the less panic there will be when disaster strikes.
To get started, consider using this ready.gov template for creating your family emergency plan.
Protect Important Documents
Losing essential documents during a natural disaster can create huge problems—especially for immigrants who need these papers to access aid or prove their legal status.
To avoid this, be sure to safeguard your most important documents ahead of time.
- Find a safe storage place at home: Keep passports, visas, green cards, birth certificates, and any other forms of identification or proof of residency in a safe place. Also, don’t forget financial documents like insurance policies, property deeds, rental agreements, and medical records for all family members—these can be just as important in an emergency.
- Use waterproof and fire-proof containers: Store your documents in quality containers (or a safe) that can withstand water damage, fires, or falling debris.
- Store documents in multiple locations: If possible, keep duplicates of important documents in more than one physical place. Consider storing one set at home and another with a trusted friend or relative who lives in a different area.
- Keep digital copies: Create digital copies of your most important documents and store them in a secure cloud service. This way, even if the physical documents are lost or damaged, you’ll still have access to them.
Replacing government-issued documents can be tricky because many require you to show an official document, like your birth certificate, to prove your identity or citizenship. That’s why it’s so important to keep your documents safe and have copies stored in different places—just in case.
Know Your Rights
Understanding your rights during a natural disaster is essential, especially given the unique immigrant challenges we mentioned above.
Here are some key points to remember:
- You have a right to non-discriminatory assistance: Regardless of your citizenship or immigration status, you may be able to access crisis counseling, disaster legal services, disaster supplemental nutrition assistance program, and other non-monetary, emergency disaster-relief programs including medical care, shelter, food and water.
- ICE enforcement is generally suspended during disasters: During disasters, emergency response and relief sites are considered “safe zones,” meaning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) don’t carry out immigration enforcement at these places. Keep in mind, however, that this policy could shift under the new 2025 U.S. administration.
- Legal support networks provide specialized support and information: If you need help to understand the latest legislation or navigating legal challenges, immigrant advocacy groups and legal aid organizations may be able to provide the specialized support and guidance you need. Make sure to know which organizations are active in your area and have their contact information on hand.
By understanding your rights, you can make sure you and your family get the help you need during a disaster, without added stress or uncertainty.
Stay Regularly Informed
When disaster strikes, knowing the latest goings-on is key to making quick, effective decisions.
Here are a few tips for finding accurate and up-to-date information during a disaster:
- Pay attention to wireless emergency alerts (WEAs): These free alerts are sent from authorities directly to your mobile devices, providing urgent information such as weather warnings. Many mobile service providers provide alerts in the 13 most commonly spoken languages in the U.S.
- Monitor multiple sources: Don’t just rely on one source of information during a disaster. Keep an eye on official government websites and local news channels—including NOAA Weather Radio (NWR), a 24/7 radio service broadcast that provides continuous weather updates and alerts for local hazards.
- Download the FEMA mobile app. This app from the Federal Emergency Management Agency offers real-time alerts for multiple locations and helps you locate nearby shelters for disaster assistance.
- Connect with community networks: Immigrant-focused organizations, cultural groups, and religious institutions play a key role in disaster response, often offering valuable information in multiple languages and connecting you to reliable resources. You can also follow the social media accounts of trusted immigrant advocacy organizations.
Together, these channels offer a solid mix of information to help keep you prepared and safe during natural disasters.
Seek Help From Trusted Organizations
In a crisis, knowing where to turn for help is essential. These organizations may be able to support you, plus they will be more sensitive to the vulnerabilities immigrants face during a natural disaster:
- Look for immigrant-focused nonprofits:. Organizations like the National Immigration Law Center and local immigrant advocacy groups often provide multilingual resources, legal support, and disaster assistance. Consider building a relationship with these groups before an emergency happens.
- Reach out to faith-based organizations: Many churches, mosques, and synagogues offer disaster relief regardless of immigration status. They may be able to provide essential services like food, shelter, and emotional support in times of need.
- Get in touch with your consulate or embassy: Consulates from countries in Latin America and other regions may offer assistance to their nationals during a disaster, including temporary shelter, legal advice, and financial aid. Knowing the location and contact information of your country’s consulate can be a crucial resource in an emergency.
Again, remember to know about these places before disaster strikes. That way, you can keep them top of mind when you need to act quickly.
Natural Disasters Back Home
Right now, the United States ranks #19 out of 193 countries on the World Risk Index. This index measures a country’s risk for natural disasters, taking into account not just climate factors but also things like infrastructure, economy, and political stability.
The most at-risk country in 2024?
That would be the Philippines, due to frequent and intense disasters, like the recent Typhoon Yagi. Other countries with high exposure to disasters include Indonesia, India, Colombia, and Mexico.
If you have loved ones back home living in a disaster-prone area, staying connected and supporting them is crucial.
Here are a few ways you can help them through a natural disaster, even from the U.S.:
- Volunteer from abroad: Many organizations accept virtual volunteers to support disaster response efforts, helping with remote social media tasks, fundraising activities, translation services, online counseling, grant writing, data entry, technical support, and more.
- Send supplies: Donate essential items like food, medicine, and clean water via humanitarian organizations that distribute international aid.
- Advocate for relief efforts: Use your voice to raise awareness and push for more support for disaster-affected communities.
- Send financial support: One of the most effective ways to help is by sending money to loved ones. When you use a safe, reliable and low-cost international remittances service like uLink, you ensure family members can access essential resources without delay.
Ready for Anything: uLink Supports Immigrants Through Disasters and Beyond
Unfortunately, we can’t control when or where a natural disaster will strike.
However, being prepared can help you and your family feel more at ease when the unexpected happens.
At uLink, we’re committed to supporting immigrants in the U.S. by offering reliable, up-to-date information on a variety of topics that make life a little smoother—like knowing how to navigate climate emergencies. When natural calamities strike abroad, uLink launches uLinkCares campaigns to offer $0 fee promotions, enabling users to send money to their loved ones without the added financial burden. These campaigns ensure that you can support your family when times are tough, bridging the distance during moments that matter most.
