Emergencies are not rare events. They're part of everyday community life — and how neighbors respond to them says a lot about the power of local connection.
Nextdoor recently surveyed 1,200 U.S. adults to understand how people experience, prepare for, and respond to local emergencies. What we found reinforced something we've long believed: when it matters most, neighbors turn to each other — and to Nextdoor.
Eight-five percent of neighbors experienced at least one local emergency in the past year. Power outages (61%) and extreme temperatures (57%) were the most common, but flooding, severe weather, and fire and smoke incidents are also a regular part of community life across the country. This isn't a niche concern — it's something almost every household has faced.
When asked who makes the biggest difference during a local emergency, neighbors came out on top — outranking both emergency services and local government. The support is tangible: 55% of neighbors received a personal check-in from someone nearby, 48% got important updates, and 37% received food, water, or supplies. Real-time, human connection is what people reach for first.
Two-thirds of neighbors have turned to Nextdoor during an emergency. The top reasons: getting real-time updates (75%), checking on neighbors (62%), sharing resources (62%), and offering help (54%). And the data backs this up — cities experiencing FEMA-declared disasters see 24% more weekly posts and comments on Nextdoor on average, with the strongest spikes during winter storms and wildfires.
One of the more striking findings: frequent Nextdoor users feel significantly more prepared for emergencies than infrequent ones. Among neighbors who use the platform at least once a day, 55% say they feel very prepared for the next local emergency — compared to just 23% of those who check in once a month. The relationship holds even after accounting for social capital and demographic factors, suggesting that staying connected to your neighborhood has a real effect on how ready people feel.
After experiencing a local emergency, 57% of neighbors exchanged contact information with people nearby, 39% built an emergency kit, and 38% created a household emergency plan. Shared hardship drives people toward one another rather than away: 65% say their sense of connection with neighbors increased after a local emergency, and those who went through more severe events like hurricanes or wildfires were 12% more likely to report that stronger bond.
The picture that emerges is a community-driven response network already in motion on Nextdoor. People trust their neighbors. They turn to local platforms for real information during a crisis. And the connections formed around emergency moments tend to last.
For public agencies and brands thinking about how to reach people during high-stakes moments, this research points to a clear takeaway: the most effective messaging isn't top-down or fear-driven. It's the kind that empowers neighbors to support each other — practical, local, and human.
Want to explore the complete findings? This summary highlights key insights from our research, but there's much more to discover. For the full report with detailed data, additional audience segments, and strategic recommendations for your campaigns, reach out to Jacob Chavis, Customer Analytics & Insights Manager, at jchavis@nextdoor.com. Our team can help you apply these insights to reach high-intent neighbors at the moments that matter most.