A recent series of polls conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in February and June 2025 has highlighted a significant partisan division among Americans regarding how the government should address natural disasters and the broader challenge of climate change. The findings emerge starkly in the wake of devastating and deadly floods in Texas that claimed the lives of over 100 people over the Fourth of July weekend.
While there is broad consensus on the immediate necessities of disaster response, the polls reveal a deep ideological chasm when it comes to preventative measures, particularly those aimed at combating climate change itself, which many link to increasingly severe weather events.
Consensus on Immediate Response
Despite the political polarization that characterizes much of the contemporary American landscape, the polling indicates a substantial agreement on the federal government’s crucial role in preparing for and responding to natural disasters. Approximately 7 in 10 U.S. adults believe the government should play a major part in tracking weather events and issuing warnings to the public. This consensus spans the political spectrum, with about 8 in 10 Democrats and two-thirds of Republicans holding this view.
Similarly, there is widespread support for the government’s function in providing aid and assistance for rebuilding efforts following a disaster. About 8 in 10 Americans overall agree that this is a key responsibility of the government. This underscores a fundamental expectation across party lines that the government will step in to help communities recover from catastrophic events.
The Divide on Climate Action
However, this bipartisan agreement erodes significantly when the focus shifts from immediate disaster response to long-term prevention, specifically through combating climate change. Only 56% of U.S. adults believe the government should have a key role in fighting climate change to prevent extreme weather events. This figure masks a stark partisan divide.
The polling shows that this view is held by a substantial majority of Democrats, approximately 8 in 10. In stark contrast, only about 3 in 10 Republicans agree that the government should play a key role in combating climate change to prevent extreme weather. This nearly 50-percentage-point gap highlights a fundamental disagreement on the causes of extreme weather and the appropriate governmental response, posing a significant challenge for developing cohesive national strategies to address the impacts of a changing climate.
Personal Experience and Perception
The polls also offer insights into how personal experience with extreme weather shapes perceptions. About 2 in 10 Americans reported having experienced major flooding in recent years, underscoring the tangible impact of such events on a significant portion of the population.
Among those U.S. adults who have experienced major flooding in the past five years, approximately 7 in 10 attribute it at least partially to climate change. This suggests that direct exposure to severe weather may influence individuals’ views on the link between such events and climate change, potentially shaping their expectations for governmental action.
Trust Under Scrutiny
The context of the deadly floods in Texas, which occurred between the two polling periods (February and June 2025), also introduces the question of trust in officials responsible for weather forecasting and disaster response. The summary indicates that trust in weather officials could be affected by scrutiny over the response to the Texas floods. Such events often bring intense focus on the timeliness and effectiveness of warnings, evacuation orders, and aid distribution, which can impact public confidence in governmental institutions and personnel charged with protecting citizens during crises.
Implications for Policy
The findings of The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll paint a complex picture. While Americans largely support governmental intervention for immediate disaster preparedness and recovery, a significant partisan divide exists on the proactive steps needed to mitigate the causes of increasingly severe events, particularly those linked to climate change. As extreme weather events continue to impact communities across the nation, this divergence in public opinion presents a considerable obstacle for policymakers seeking to implement comprehensive strategies that address both the symptoms and the root causes of natural disasters in an era of climate change. Bridging this gap in perspective remains a critical challenge for national resilience efforts.
