Extreme heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the US, and heat waves are growing longer and hotter.

How to prepare your home

  • Never leave people or pets in parked vehicles.
  • Use air conditioning or locate your nearest public cooling center.
  • Add attic insulation, reflective roofing or shade trees to keep your home cooler.
  • Check on elderly neighbors and family during heat waves.
  • Stay hydrated and avoid strenuous outdoor activity during peak heat.

Official sources

All states ranked by extreme heat risk

Arizona Arizona is rated level 5 of 5 for extreme heat, meaning the state faces very high risk from prolonged periods… Very High Florida Extreme heat is a top-level threat in Florida, where high summer temperatures combine with intense humidity… Very High Louisiana Louisiana faces the highest level of extreme heat risk in the U.S., with long, humid summers and frequent… Very High Nevada Extreme heat is the most severe natural hazard risk in Nevada, rated Level 5 of 5. With a desert climate, the… Very High Texas Extreme heat is a major hazard for Texas homes, with the state rated at the highest risk level. This page… Very High Alabama Alabama faces a high extreme heat risk (level 4 of 5), with hot, humid summers and heat index values… High Arkansas Arkansas experiences extreme heat and humidity each summer, with heat indexes frequently exceeding 100°F and… High California California faces a high (level 4 of 5) risk from extreme heat, a hazard that is becoming more frequent and… High Georgia Georgia faces a high risk of extreme heat, rated level 4 out of 5, with long, humid summers and heat waves… High Kansas Extreme heat is a significant hazard in Kansas, with the state rated at level 4 of 5 for this risk. Summers… High Mississippi Extreme heat is a serious hazard in Mississippi, rated level 4 of 5 on a national risk scale. The state's… High Missouri Missouri faces a high level 4 risk of extreme heat, with hot, humid summers that can stress home cooling… High New Mexico New Mexico faces a high risk of extreme heat, rated level 4 out of 5. Its high desert climate brings intense… High Oklahoma Oklahoma faces a high risk of extreme heat due to its southern Plains location, with hot, humid summers and… High South Carolina South Carolina experiences some of the hottest and most humid weather in the Southeast, with extreme heat… High Colorado Colorado faces a moderate (level 3 of 5) extreme heat risk, with intense summer temperatures most pronounced… Moderate Delaware Delaware faces a moderate (Level 3 of 5) risk from extreme heat, with hot, humid summers that can stress… Moderate District of Columbia Extreme heat is a significant hazard in the District of Columbia, rated level 3 out of 5. The city's dense… Moderate Idaho Idaho has a moderate level 3 out of 5 risk for extreme heat, especially in its southern low-elevation… Moderate Illinois Extreme heat is a significant hazard in Illinois, rated level 3 of 5. Summers bring hot, humid conditions,… Moderate Indiana Extreme heat is a significant hazard in Indiana, particularly during the summer months when high temperatures… Moderate Iowa Extreme heat poses a significant risk in Iowa, rated level 3 of 5. Summers in the state often bring days of… Moderate Kentucky Kentucky is rated level 3 of 5 for extreme heat risk, with hot, humid summers that can bring dangerous heat… Moderate Maryland Maryland experiences hot, humid summers, with heat waves becoming more frequent and intense. The state is… Moderate Nebraska Nebraska faces a moderate (level 3 of 5) extreme heat risk, with hot summers and occasional heat waves that… Moderate New Jersey New Jersey faces a significant extreme heat risk, rated 3 out of 5. Hot, humid summers and the urban heat… Moderate North Carolina North Carolina faces a significant extreme heat risk, rated level 3 out of 5. Summer heat waves, combined… Moderate South Dakota South Dakota faces a moderate risk of extreme heat, with summer temperatures that can climb above 100°F and… Moderate Tennessee Extreme heat is a significant hazard in Tennessee, rated Level 3 out of 5 for risk. Hot, humid summers with… Moderate Utah Utah is rated level 3 of 5 for extreme heat. The state's dry high-desert summers bring dangerous heat,… Moderate Virginia Virginia experiences hot, humid summers with significant extreme heat risk, rated level 3 of 5 by FEMA. Urban… Moderate Connecticut Connecticut faces a moderate (Level 2 of 5) risk of extreme heat, with humid summer conditions and urban heat… Low Hawaii Hawaii is ranked Level 2 of 5 for extreme heat risk, meaning a moderate but lower-than-average threat. Heat… Low Massachusetts Massachusetts experiences occasional extreme heat events, especially in summer, with urban areas like Boston… Low Michigan Extreme heat is a moderate risk in Michigan, with summer heat waves bringing high temperatures and humidity,… Low Minnesota Minnesota experiences extreme heat events, typically in summer, with humidity making conditions more… Low Montana Montana faces a moderate-level risk of extreme heat, rated 2 out of 5. Although summers are generally mild,… Low New York Extreme heat in New York is most common during summer, with the highest risk in urban areas like New York… Low North Dakota North Dakota has a relatively low but real risk of extreme heat, rated Level 2 of 5 by FEMA. The state… Low Ohio Ohio experiences hot, humid summers with occasional extreme heat events. While the state is rated at level 2… Low Oregon Extreme heat in Oregon is a moderate hazard, rated level 2 out of 5. While Oregon's coastal and mountain… Low Pennsylvania Pennsylvania experiences hot, humid summers, with extreme heat events becoming more frequent. While the… Low Rhode Island Rhode Island has a relatively low but real risk of extreme heat, with summer heat waves and urban heat island… Low Washington Washington is rated Level 2 of 5 for extreme heat risk. While the state is known for mild weather, heat waves… Low West Virginia West Virginia experiences a moderate risk of extreme heat, especially during summer heat waves. While the… Low Wisconsin Extreme heat presents a moderate but growing risk to Wisconsin homes, particularly in urban areas like… Low Wyoming Wyoming experiences periodic extreme heat events, especially in lower-elevation areas during summer, despite… Low Alaska Extreme heat is a low-level hazard in Alaska, rated 1 out of 5, but interior regions like Fairbanks can still… Very Low Maine Maine has a relatively low risk of extreme heat compared to other states, but summer heat waves can still… Very Low New Hampshire New Hampshire has a very low risk of extreme heat, rated Level 1 on FEMA's National Risk Index. Still, summer… Very Low Vermont Vermont has a low relative risk of extreme heat compared to other US states, but heat waves can still occur,… Very Low

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