Natural Disaster Risk Guides
Plain-English explainers for all 18 FEMA National Risk Index hazards — what each one is, how FEMA measures it, where risk concentrates, and what preparation actually helps.
How the FEMA National Risk Index Works
What goes into a county's NRI score — Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience — and how to read the numbers on this site.
Hazard Guides
Avalanche Why avalanche deaths are almost entirely recreational, where US risk concentrates, and the gear and training that keep backcountry travelers alive. Coastal Flood How coastal flooding differs from storm surge and river floods, why 'sunny-day' flooding is accelerating, and what the NRI scores capture. Cold Wave Why the deadliest cold snaps hit unprepared southern states, how the NRI scores extreme cold, and how to protect people and pipes. Drought Why drought risk concentrates in California's farm counties, how the NRI measures a slow-motion hazard, and what mitigation looks like. Earthquake Why earthquake risk extends far beyond California, how the NRI handles a rare-but-catastrophic hazard, and what retrofits matter. Hail Why hail is the insurance industry's quiet catastrophe, where 'Hail Alley' really is, and what roofing choices matter. Heat Wave Why extreme heat is America's deadliest weather hazard, how the NRI scores it, and who is actually at risk. Hurricane Where hurricane risk concentrates, how the National Risk Index measures it, and what actually reduces damage. Ice Storm Why freezing rain is winter's most destructive form, where the US ice belt runs, and how to survive the long outages it causes. Landslide Debris flows, burn scars, and unstable slopes — how the NRI scores landslide risk and the warning signs on your own property. Lightning America's most frequent severe-weather hazard — who it actually strikes, where it concentrates, and the simple rule that prevents deaths. Riverine Flood Why inland flooding is the NRI's largest single hazard by expected loss, how it's measured, and why flood insurance is the critical gap. Strong Wind Straight-line winds, derechos, and downbursts — the non-tornado wind damage the NRI tracks, and how to harden against it. Tornado Where tornado risk actually concentrates (it's not just Oklahoma), how the NRI scores it, and the sheltering decisions that save lives. Tsunami Which US coastlines face real tsunami risk, why Cascadia dominates the map, and the natural warnings that matter more than sirens. Volcanic Activity America's active volcanoes from Hawaii to the Cascades, the hazards that reach far beyond the crater, and what monitoring buys us. Wildfire Why wildfire losses are concentrated in the wildland-urban interface, how the NRI measures fire risk, and the home-hardening steps that work. Winter Weather Snow, blizzards, and lake-effect extremes — what the NRI's winter weather hazard covers and how to get through it.