FEMA Risk Map Reveals Best and Worst Places to Live in the U.S.

A new map released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is shedding a little light on the worst places to live in the U.S. for natural disasters. What does the data say? Read on for all of the details.

The latest FEMA Risk Map ranks every county in the country, scoring it for its overall disaster risk, how socially vulnerable the residents are, and how resilient a community might be after a natural disaster strikes. The data looks at a variety of hazards, including extreme heat and cold, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, winter storms, lightning, high wind events, avalanches, lightning strikes, drought, and more.

Not surprisingly, the worst places to live are California, Florida, and most other coastal areas. While California sees a disproportionately high number of wildfires and earthquakes, Florida is notorious for its frequent tropical weather events.

In general, the middle of the nation ranks lower on this scale. However, some states see a wide range of risk factors. For instance, while most of Texas is listed under a moderate or high risk of natural disasters, there are some areas that come in with a low risk. You will find similar disparities in Washington state, Oregon, and Nevada.

Conversely, much of New England and Ohio are listed as among the best places to live. For example, Ohio is relatively protected from most of the major weather events that other parts of the country see with greater frequency. And while coastal New England sees its fair share of nor'easters, the bulk of the region is not at a high risk of tropical events, earthquakes, and tornadic activity.

The study by FEMA also provides a census tract view. This data point divides cities into several individual tracts, providing a more detailed look at what parts of any urban area may fare better. This means that while many areas have a mixed risk, some smaller pockets are safer due to a variety of factors.

Looking through the census lens, the bulk of the country located to the west of the Mississippi River is under a mixed threat, while the majority of the Northeast is at a lower risk. The exceptions to this are along coastal areas prone to tropical weather and across the higher terrain that may be at a higher risk of wildfires.

Putting the spotlight on the state of Massachusetts, most of the Commonwealth is under the designation of low risk. The state has a few pockets of moderate risk, as well as Martha's Vineyard, which falls under the category of a high risk.

Most major urban areas are under some degree of risk. Pittsburgh is distinguished as the lowest-risk major city. This is largely due to its isolated position away from any coast.

Climate Change is Amplifying the Threats of Natural Disasters

Climate experts have been warning for years that the impacts of global warming have increased both the prevalence and intensity of natural disasters. Data from Climate Central showed that there were fewer than two weeks between disaster events in the U.S. in 2024. This compares to almost two months in 1981.

When looking at the risk map, it is also important to note that the most recent disasters are not included. This includes Hurricane Helene and the deadly flooding event in Texas Hill Country.

The risk index ranking also does not account for power outages, a common result of a disaster event. Nor does the index take into account crime or gasoline prices. That said, the data can be helpful when looking at the overall risk of any particular area when looking to move.

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