Most and Least Disaster Proof American Cities - Washington D.C.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control launched the "Cities Readiness Initiative" (CRI) to enhance the emergency preparedness of America’s largest cities and metropolitan statistical areas, which encompasses more than 50% of the nation’s population.

As part of the CRI, the CDC and state public health personnel assess local emergency-management plans, protocols and capabilities for 72 Metropolitan Statistical Areas and four non-MSA large cities. Based on this assessment, the CRI calculates a score for each MSA that ranges from zero to 100. According to the CSC, a score of 69 or higher indicates that the city has established acceptable "plans to receive, distribute, and Strategic National Stockpile medical assets."

The 5 worst prepared based on disaster readiness scores:

1. Albuquerque, NM - Score: 50.6
2. Birmingham, AL - Score: 54
3. Fresno, CA - Score: 56
4. Pittsburgh, PA - Score: 58
5. Portland, ME - Score: 57

The 5 best prepared based on disaster readiness scores:

1. New York City, NY - Score: 99.6
2. Dover, DE - Score: 97.6
3. Chicago, IL - Score: 97.3
4. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY - Score: 96.6
5. Washington, D.C. - Score: 94.6

View the Expanded list at Forbes.

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