Our Methodology: How We Rate Home Risk
How we rate risk
Every state on HomeRiskMap gets a 1–5 rating for each natural hazard (flood, hurricane, tornado, wildfire, earthquake, winter storm, extreme heat, drought, landslide, severe storms) plus an overall score. The ratings are designed as a starting point for homeowners and buyers — not a substitute for parcel-level maps or professional advice.
The 1–5 scale
- 1 — Very Low: minimal historical exposure; the hazard rarely affects homes here.
- 2 — Low: occasional exposure, typically limited to specific areas or seasons.
- 3 — Moderate: the hazard is a real planning factor for homeowners statewide.
- 4 — High: frequent or severe exposure; insurance and mitigation costs reflect it.
- 5 — Very High: among the most exposed states in the country for this hazard.
How the overall score is calculated
A state's overall score is the rounded average of its individual hazard ratings. For example, a state rated 4 for hurricanes, 3 for flooding, and 2 for tornadoes (with remaining hazards at 1–2) will land around 3 — Moderate overall. The map legend always shows which layer is active, so you can see whether a state's color comes from one dominant hazard or broad exposure.
Where the data comes from
Our ratings are compiled from publicly available data and guidance published by official US government sources, including:
- FEMA — flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps), National Risk Index, disaster declarations
- NOAA — historical storm, hurricane, and severe-weather records; climate data
- USGS — earthquake hazard maps and landslide data
- Ready.gov and state emergency management agencies — preparedness guidance
- US Forest Service — wildfire risk data
Our editors review these sources and translate them into plain-English ratings and guides. We do not invent data, and we link to the official maps wherever you need to verify a specific address.
What the ratings are — and aren't
- State-level, not parcel-level. A "Low" state can still have high-risk floodplains; a "High" state has safer neighborhoods. Always check your exact address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and your insurer's maps.
- Relative, not predictive. Ratings compare exposure across states based on historical and modeled data. They don't predict when or where the next event hits.
- Independent. We don't sell insurance and have no partnerships with insurers. Ratings are never influenced by advertisers.
How often we update
Hazard ratings are reviewed on an ongoing basis and updated when official sources publish significant revisions — for example, new FEMA flood maps, updated USGS seismic hazard models, or NOAA climate normals. Each state and hazard page shows its last-updated date. Our guides are reviewed at least annually.
Corrections
Found something wrong or outdated? Contact us — we review every correction report against the official sources and update promptly.