As winter starts, FEMA’s National Risk Index puts expected winter weather losses across the US at about $552 million a year. Of the 3,108 counties rated, 111 are Very High.
Winter weather here means snowstorms, blizzards and other winter storms. Ice storms and extreme cold are scored separately.
Highest expected yearly losses from winter weather
| County | Expected loss a year |
|---|---|
| Johnson County, KS | $6.0 million |
| El Paso County, CO | $5.5 million |
| Cook County, IL | $4.4 million |
| Cass County, ND | $3.9 million |
| Gallatin County, MT | $3.6 million |
| Montgomery County, PA | $3.5 million |
| Cumberland County, ME | $3.4 million |
| Burleigh County, ND | $3.1 million |
| Ada County, ID | $3.0 million |
| Penobscot County, ME | $2.8 million |
Losses are FEMA estimates of yearly damage to buildings and farm output and the value of lives lost, averaged over many years.
Why these places
Big, growing suburbs such as Johnson County and El Paso County rank high because they combine frequent snow with many buildings to damage. Places such as Cass and Burleigh counties in North Dakota rank high because blizzards there are frequent and severe, even with fewer people.
Getting ready
- Keep blankets, water, a phone charger and a shovel in your car.
- Know how to shut off water to your home if a pipe bursts.
- Have a safe way to stay warm if the power goes out. Never run a generator or grill indoors.
See the full ranking on the winter weather risk page, or compare ice storm risk and cold wave risk.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release.