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The 18 natural hazards

FEMA's National Risk Index rates every US county for 18 hazards. Together they add up to about $150.1 billion in expected losses a year. Here they are, costliest first.

Photo: JamesWatkins, CC BY 2.0

U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

#1 · $64.9 billion a year

Inland flooding

Rivers, creeks and streets overflowing after heavy rain or snowmelt. It is the top hazard in more US counties than any other, and standard home insurance does not cover it.

Rated in 3,140 counties · 26 rated Very High

#2 · $25.6 billion a year

Earthquake

Sudden shaking from movement along faults. Damage depends on the building and soil as much as on the size of the quake. Standard home insurance excludes it.

Rated in 3,137 counties · 8 rated Very High

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#3 · $12.4 billion a year

Hurricane

Tropical storms with winds of 74 mph or more. They bring wind damage, storm surge and days of heavy rain that can flood places far inland.

Rated in 2,230 counties · 47 rated Very High

aidankinser, public domain

#4 · $11.5 billion a year

Tornado

Violent rotating columns of air that come down from thunderstorms. Spring is the busiest season, but tornadoes can happen in any month.

Rated in 3,144 counties · 37 rated Very High

#5 · $9.9 billion a year

Cold wave

Spells of extreme cold that strain power grids and freeze pipes, even in places that rarely see them.

Rated in 3,077 counties · 39 rated Very High

#6 · $7.1 billion a year

Heat wave

Long stretches of unusually hot weather. Heat causes more US weather deaths than any other hazard, mostly among older adults and people without air conditioning.

Rated in 3,062 counties · 11 rated Very High

U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

#7 · $3.9 billion a year

Wildfire

Fires that spread through grass, brush and forest, often pushed by dry winds. Homes near wild land face the highest risk, and insurers in some states have pulled back.

Rated in 3,143 counties · 4 rated Very High

#8 · $3.2 billion a year

Hail

Balls of ice from strong thunderstorms that dent cars and damage roofs. The Plains and Front Range see the most.

Rated in 3,126 counties · 25 rated Very High

#9 · $3.2 billion a year

Strong wind

Damaging straight-line winds from storms, separate from tornadoes and hurricanes.

Rated in 3,121 counties · 63 rated Very High

#10 · $2.7 billion a year

Drought

Long dry periods that hurt crops, lower water supplies and raise wildfire risk.

Rated in 2,760 counties · 17 rated Very High

#11 · $1.6 billion a year

Lightning

Strikes that start fires, damage electronics and injure people outdoors.

Rated in 3,144 counties · 109 rated Very High

#12 · $1 billion a year

Ice storm

Freezing rain that coats trees and power lines in ice, often causing long power outages.

Rated in 3,001 counties · 148 rated Very High

#13 · $990 million a year

Coastal flooding

Sea water pushed onto land by storm surge, very high tides or strong onshore winds. Low-lying neighborhoods near bays and inlets see it most.

Rated in 436 counties · 29 rated Very High

#14 · $719 million a year

Tsunami

Sea waves set off by undersea earthquakes. The Pacific coast, Alaska and Hawaii carry most of the US risk.

Rated in 65 counties · 4 rated Very High

#15 · $552 million a year

Winter weather

Snowstorms and blizzards that close roads, bring down trees and cut power.

Rated in 3,108 counties · 111 rated Very High

#16 · $420 million a year

Avalanche

Snow sliding down steep mountain slopes. Risk centers on ski and mountain counties in the West and Alaska.

Rated in 684 counties · 37 rated Very High

#17 · $253 million a year

Landslide

Soil and rock sliding downhill, often after heavy rain or wildfire. Home insurance usually excludes it.

Rated in 3,144 counties · 3 rated Very High

#18 · $60.2 million a year

Volcanic activity

Ash, lava and mudflows from active volcanoes, mainly in Hawaii, Alaska and the Cascades.

Rated in 283 counties · 1 rated Very High