Guides and articles
Plain answers about disaster risk, insurance and where to live, built on FEMA data.
Are natural disasters getting more common in the US?
Federal major disaster declarations by decade since the 1950s, the record year of 2024, and what the numbers can and can't tell you.
California counties ranked by wildfire and earthquake risk
Where wildfire and earthquake risk is highest and lowest in California, from FEMA's National Risk Index, plus how flooding fits in.
Counties with the most federal disaster declarations
Los Angeles County has been part of 86 federal disaster declarations for natural events, the most in the US. Louisiana parishes fill much of the rest of the list.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
Most home policies leave out flood damage. What is covered, what isn't, and how flood insurance works.
Earthquake risk by county: where the ground shakes hardest
California dominates FEMA's earthquake rankings, but Alaska tops the list per resident and Seattle's King County ranks third for total losses.
Emergency kit checklist for any disaster
What to keep at home and in a go-bag for floods, hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and winter storms, with the extras each hazard needs.
Fires account for 68 of 2026's 152 federal disaster declarations
Wildfires drove more federal declarations than any other hazard in 2026 so far. Oklahoma, Washington and Oregon had the most fire declarations.
Flood zones explained: what A, AE, V and X mean
What FEMA flood zone letters mean, what a 100-year flood really is, when flood insurance is required, and how to find your zone.
Florida counties ranked by hurricane risk
Which Florida counties have the lowest and highest hurricane risk per resident, from FEMA data. Inland Central Florida fares best; the Panhandle coast and Keys rank highest.
Hawaii gets two hurricane disaster declarations in one day
Hurricanes Lala and Lowell brought federal major disaster declarations for Hawaii on October 7, 2026, after an earthquake declaration for Hawaii County in September.
Heat wave risk by county: the deadliest weather hazard
Maricopa County, Arizona leads FEMA's heat wave rankings, but St. Louis has the highest expected losses per resident. Here is where heat risk is highest and why.
How to apply for FEMA disaster assistance, step by step
Who can apply for FEMA help after a disaster, what you need, the deadlines, and what happens after you apply.
Hurricane deductibles explained: why your claim may cost more than you think
How percentage hurricane and windstorm deductibles work, what they cost in real dollars, which states use them and how to lower the hit.
Hurricane Isaias: Florida Panhandle gets a major disaster declaration
Fifteen Florida Panhandle counties are included in the October 27 federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaias. Eight can get help for households.
Hurricane risk by county: the most exposed places in the US
Counties with the highest expected hurricane losses, in total and per resident, from Texas to the Carolinas.
Large US counties with the lowest natural disaster risk
Among the 142 counties with at least 500,000 people, these have the lowest overall risk scores in FEMA's National Risk Index.
Moving to a new county? A disaster risk checklist
Eight things to check about natural hazards before you buy or rent in a new place, from flood zones to insurance quotes.
New Mexico flooding brings two federal declarations in October
An emergency declaration for October storms covers four counties and five tribal areas in northwest New Mexico, after a major disaster declaration for July flooding at Zuni Pueblo.
Nine major disasters declared on a single day in October
On October 7, 2026, FEMA records show nine major disaster declarations, from tornadoes in Wisconsin to floods in West Virginia and New Mexico.
Storm surge explained: the deadliest part of a hurricane
What storm surge is, why it is so dangerous, how high it can get, and how to know if your home is in a surge evacuation zone.
Texas counties ranked by natural disaster risk
Harris and Dallas counties top FEMA's Texas risk rankings. These are the lowest-risk large counties in Texas, and what drives risk across the state.
The 30-day flood insurance waiting period: when to buy
Why most federal flood policies take 30 days to start, the few exceptions, and why buying when a storm is coming is usually too late.
Tornado risk by county: where losses are highest
The US counties with the highest expected tornado losses, why the Dallas area tops the list, and how to prepare for tornado season.
What a county's natural hazard risk rating actually means
How FEMA's National Risk Index rates every US county, why big counties score high, and how to read the numbers on a county page.
What a FEMA disaster declaration is, and what help comes with it
How federal disaster declarations work, the difference between major disasters, emergencies and fire declarations, and what each one pays for.
When is hurricane season, and how do you prepare?
Atlantic and Pacific hurricane season dates, the peak weeks, which counties face the most risk, and a short preparation plan.
Wildfire risk by county: where expected losses are highest
The US counties with the highest expected wildfire losses, the places with the most risk per resident, and steps to protect a home.