Lightning risk by county
Strikes that start fires, damage electronics and injure people outdoors.
Highest expected losses
| # | County | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu County, HI | $13M | |
| 2 | Broward County, FL | $12M | |
| 3 | Jefferson County, CO | $11M | |
| 4 | Palm Beach County, FL | $9M | |
| 5 | Pinellas County, FL | $9M | |
| 6 | Harris County, TX | $9M | |
| 7 | Montgomery County, TX | $9M | |
| 8 | Miami-Dade County, FL | $8M | |
| 9 | Hillsborough County, FL | $8M | |
| 10 | Lee County, FL | $8M | |
| 11 | Douglas County, CO | $8M | |
| 12 | El Paso County, TX | $7M | |
| 13 | Utah County, UT | $7M | |
| 14 | Larimer County, CO | $7M | |
| 15 | Fort Bend County, TX | $7M |
Big counties lead this list partly because they have more people and buildings at risk.
Highest per resident
| # | County (100,000+ people) | Per person a year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coconino County, AZ | $38 |
| 2 | Navajo County, AZ | $32 |
| 3 | Washington County, UT | $31 |
| 4 | Pueblo County, CO | $26 |
| 5 | Okaloosa County, FL | $23 |
| 6 | Jefferson County, TX | $23 |
| 7 | Douglas County, CO | $21 |
| 8 | Jefferson County, CO | $20 |
| 9 | Larimer County, CO | $19 |
| 10 | Calcasieu Parish, LA | $19 |
Expected yearly loss divided by population. A fairer way to compare places of different size.
Lowest risk among large counties
| # | County (250,000+ people) | Rating | Per person a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco County, CA | under $1 | |
| 2 | Santa Clara County, CA | under $1 | |
| 3 | Alameda County, CA | under $1 | |
| 4 | Orange County, CA | under $1 | |
| 5 | Los Angeles County, CA | under $1 | |
| 6 | Sacramento County, CA | under $1 | |
| 7 | San Diego County, CA | under $1 | |
| 8 | Multnomah County, OR | under $1 | |
| 9 | Milwaukee County, WI | under $1 | |
| 10 | Riverside County, CA | under $1 |
How ratings are spread
The lists above show only the top counties, so they are all rated high. Across all 3,144 rated counties, most are Low or Very Low:
How to prepare
- Go indoors when you hear thunder.
- Use surge protectors for electronics.
- Ask whether an older home has a lightning protection system.
States where it is most often the top hazard
Common questions
Which US county has the highest lightning risk?
Honolulu County, HI has the highest expected yearly lightning losses in FEMA's National Risk Index, about $12.6 million a year. Broward County, FL is second at $12 million.
How many counties face lightning risk?
FEMA rates lightning in 3,144 of 3,144 counties in the 50 states and DC. 109 are rated Very High and 461 Relatively High.
Is lightning covered by home insurance?
Usually yes for damage to the home, but check deductibles. Some states and insurers use separate wind, hail or hurricane deductibles.
Other hazards
Source: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025). Expected annual loss is FEMA's long-run estimate of yearly damage to buildings, people and farm output, in dollars.