46M Americans Live in Counties with a High Risk of Natural Hazard Impact

The threat of property damage from natural disasters persists throughout much of the nation. FEMA maintains a National Risk Index assessing the regional risk of damage incurred from 18 different natural causes. The index considers the likelihood of these hazardous natural events, the vulnerability of the population, and the community’s capability to prepare for and respond to the hazards.

According to the National Risk Index, approximately 45.7 million people, or 13.8% of the US population, live in counties with very high risk. Another 86.8 million, or 26.2%, live in areas with relatively high risk.

Major Population Centers with High Overall Risk

• Parts of southern California, where risks of damages from earthquakes and wildfires are very high
• Parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, where risks of damages from earthquakes are very high
• Cook County, Illinois, home to Chicago, where risks of damage from cold waves, heat waves, lightning, strong winds, tornadoes, and winter weather are all very high
• Harris County, Texas, home to Houston, where risks of damages from cold waves, hurricanes, lightning, riverine flooding, tornadoes, and winter weather are very high
• Parts of south Florida, where risks of damages from hurricanes, lightning, and riverine flooding are very high
• King County, Washington, home to Seattle, where risks of damages from earthquakes and volcanic activity are very high