WASHINGTON, D.C. — One-third of Americans say they have personally experienced an extreme weather event in the past two years, including nearly half of Southern residents. Those living in the Midwest are least likely to have been affected by extreme weather.

The latest results, from a March 1-23 survey, are consistent with what Gallup measured a year ago, the first time it asked about experiences with extreme weather. Southern residents have been most likely in both surveys to say they had been affected by extreme weather, with the 2022 figure slightly lower at 39%.

When asked what extreme weather they experienced, Americans overall most commonly say hurricanes (8%), extreme cold (7%), snow or ice storms (6%), extreme heat (4%) and floods (4%). Between 2% and 3% mention tornadoes, extreme rain, high winds and wildfires. The survey does not probe exactly how the person was affected by extreme weather, which could range from having their home destroyed to temporary evacuation or just riding out a storm.

Nearly one in five Southern residents, 18%, say they were affected by a hurricane, more […]