Strong wind risk by county
Damaging straight-line winds from storms, separate from tornadoes and hurricanes.
Highest expected losses
| # | County | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monmouth County, NJ | $91M | |
| 2 | Jackson County, OK | $44M | |
| 3 | Ocean County, NJ | $39M | |
| 4 | Orange County, FL | $33M | |
| 5 | Osceola County, FL | $27M | |
| 6 | Polk County, FL | $25M | |
| 7 | Dakota County, MN | $19M | |
| 8 | Lubbock County, TX | $17M | |
| 9 | Douglas County, NE | $16M | |
| 10 | Atlantic County, NJ | $15M | |
| 11 | Middlesex County, NJ | $14M | |
| 12 | Scott County, MN | $13M | |
| 13 | Anoka County, MN | $13M | |
| 14 | Mercer County, NJ | $13M | |
| 15 | Wayne County, MI | $13M |
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 | Monmouth County, NJ | $141 |
| 2 | Highlands County, FL | $126 |
| 3 | Scott County, MN | $85 |
| 4 | Osceola County, FL | $69 |
| 5 | Johnson County, IA | $69 |
| 6 | Sussex County, NJ | $63 |
| 7 | Ocean County, NJ | $61 |
| 8 | Cass County, ND | $55 |
| 9 | Atlantic County, NJ | $54 |
| 10 | Lubbock County, TX | $53 |
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 | King County, WA | under $1 | |
| 2 | Sacramento County, CA | under $1 | |
| 3 | Santa Clara County, CA | under $1 | |
| 4 | Alameda County, CA | under $1 | |
| 5 | Honolulu County, HI | under $1 | |
| 6 | San Francisco County, CA | under $1 | |
| 7 | Snohomish County, WA | under $1 | |
| 8 | Los Angeles County, CA | under $1 | |
| 9 | Fresno County, CA | under $1 | |
| 10 | San Luis Obispo County, CA | under $1 |
How ratings are spread
The lists above show only the top counties, so they are all rated high. Across all 3,121 rated counties, most are Low or Very Low:
How to prepare
- Secure outdoor furniture and trash bins before storms.
- Have trees near the house checked.
- Know where to shut off gas and power.
States where it is most often the top hazard
Read more
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.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
Most home policies leave out flood damage. What is covered, what isn't, and how flood insurance works.
Common questions
Which US county has the highest strong wind risk?
Monmouth County, NJ has the highest expected yearly strong wind losses in FEMA's National Risk Index, about $90.7 million a year. Jackson County, OK is second at $44.2 million.
How many counties face strong wind risk?
FEMA rates strong wind in 3,121 of 3,144 counties in the 50 states and DC. 63 are rated Very High and 442 Relatively High.
Is strong wind 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.