After Hurricane Helene, Voters Want the U.S. to Expand Its Disaster Relief
By Marissa Farmer and Lew Blank
Hurricane Helene, which struck the southeastern U.S. in late September, is now the deadliest U.S. hurricane since Maria in 2017. The storm has been particularly devastating in Appalachia, where trillions of gallons of water flooded communities, blocked crucial roads, and cut off residents from food, water, power, and other essentials.
In a new survey, Data for Progress tested voters’ perceptions of key hurricane-related agencies, their levels of concern about hurricanes striking their area, the connection they draw between hurricanes and climate change, and their support for further disaster relief.
Voters have a net favorable opinion of the National Weather Service (NWS) (+70), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (+48), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (+47). Majorities of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans are favorable toward each of these agencies.
When asked about the causes of climate change, 61% of voters agree that climate change is the result of human activity, while 33% believe it is mostly the result of natural causes. Across partisanship, 79% of Democrats, 64% of Independents, and 40% of Republicans believe climate change is the result of human activity.
Next, voters were asked how concerned they are about the potential impact of hurricanes and tropical storms in their area. Forty-six percent of all likely voters are at least somewhat concerned about the impact of hurricanes and tropical storms, including 47% of respondents in the Northeast region. Voters in the South are significantly more concerned about the impact of hurricanes and tropical storms, with 2 in 3 respondents expressing concern.
Extensive research has shown that in recent decades, the frequency and strength of hurricanes reaching the United States have significantly increased. When asked whether this is primarily a result of climate change or natural changes in the environment, a plurality of voters (49%) agree that the increase in the frequency and strength of hurricanes is primarily a result of climate change, while 42% believe it is primarily a result of natural changes to the environment. A majority of Democrats (71%) and Independents (54%) agree this is a result of climate change.
A majority of likely voters (52%) think the federal government is not providing enough disaster relief. Additionally, 30% think the government is providing the right amount of relief, while just 4% think the government is providing too much. Fourteen percent of respondents say they don’t know.
In mid-September, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ted Cruz proposed the Regional Impact of Disasters and Emergencies Relief Act (RIDER Act) bill to reform how federal disaster relief is distributed. The bill ensures that all communities affected by major disasters are eligible for FEMA relief, regardless of state or county boundaries. Additionally, the policy allows communities impacted by several major disasters to receive aid based on cumulative damage over a 12-month period.
An overwhelming majority of likely voters (82%) support the RIDER Act, while only 9% oppose. This policy is widely supported among Democrats (86%), Independents (78%), and Republicans (79%), as well as 81% of voters in the South.
Finally, voters were asked whether they would support or oppose the proposal in Project 2025 to break up and downsize NOAA. A majority of voters (57%) oppose breaking up and downsizing the agency, including 62% of Democrats, 61% of Independents, and 49% of Republicans.
Overall, voters are favorable toward the NWS, FEMA, and the NOAA. Voters in the South are especially concerned about hurricanes and tropical storms, and a plurality of national voters attribute the increased frequency and strength of hurricanes to climate change. However, a majority of voters do not think that the federal government is providing enough disaster relief, and voters across party lines widely support the RIDER Act’s proposals to expand federal aid distributions.
Marissa Farmer is a polling intern at Data for Progress.
Lew Blank (@LewBlank) is a communications strategist at Data for Progress.
Cover photo attributable to The National Guard.