⛈️ Hazard category
Severe Storms risk by state
Severe thunderstorms produce damaging straight-line winds, large hail and dangerous lightning.
Severe thunderstorms produce damaging straight-line winds, large hail and dangerous lightning.
How to prepare your home
- Trim dead branches and remove weak trees near your home.
- Consider impact-resistant roofing in hail-prone regions.
- Unplug sensitive electronics or use surge protection during storms.
- When thunder roars, go indoors — avoid plumbing and corded devices.
- Document your roof and property yearly to simplify hail damage claims.
Official sources
All states ranked by severe storms risk
Kansas
Severe storms are a major natural hazard in Kansas, rated at the highest risk level. From spring through…
Nebraska
Nebraska faces a very high risk of severe storms, including tornadoes, large hail, and destructive winds,…
Oklahoma
Oklahoma faces the highest level of severe storm risk in the United States. Tornadoes, large hail, and…
Texas
Texas has the highest possible severe storm risk, with tornadoes, hail, and destructive winds occurring…
Alabama
Alabama faces a high risk of severe storms, including tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds. The state…
Arkansas
Arkansas faces a high risk of severe storms, including tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds, and flash…
Colorado
Severe storms are a significant hazard in Colorado, with the eastern plains and Front Range experiencing…
Florida
Florida is rated Level 4 of 5 for severe storm risk, meaning it faces a high threat from thunderstorms, hail,…
Georgia
Georgia faces a high risk of severe storms, rated 4 out of 5 for this hazard. Thunderstorms, lightning, hail,…
Illinois
Illinois has a Level 4 of 5 risk for severe storms, meaning the state faces a significant threat from…
Indiana
Indiana faces a relatively high risk of severe storms, including tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, and…
Iowa
Iowa faces a high risk of severe storms, including tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds, due to its location…
Kentucky
Severe storms are a significant risk in Kentucky, with the state rated level 4 out of 5 for this hazard.…
Louisiana
Louisiana faces a high risk of severe thunderstorms, which can bring tornadoes, large hail, damaging…
Minnesota
Minnesota faces a high risk of severe thunderstorms, ranking level 4 of 5 for this hazard. These storms…
Mississippi
Mississippi faces a high risk of severe storms, including tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, and lightning,…
Missouri
Missouri is at a level 4 of 5 risk for severe storms, facing frequent thunderstorms with damaging winds,…
North Carolina
North Carolina faces an elevated risk of severe thunderstorms, capable of producing tornadoes, damaging…
Ohio
Ohio faces a significant threat from severe storms, including tornadoes, damaging winds, hail, and lightning.…
South Carolina
South Carolina is rated 4 out of 5 for severe storm risk due to frequent thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail,…
South Dakota
Severe storms are a significant hazard in South Dakota, rated Level 4 out of 5, with the eastern part of the…
Tennessee
Tennessee faces a high risk of severe storms, including tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail,…
Wisconsin
Wisconsin faces a significant severe storm threat, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, large hail, and…
Arizona
Severe storms in Arizona are most common during the late summer monsoon, bringing lightning, strong winds,…
Connecticut
Connecticut faces a moderate (Level 3 of 5) risk from severe storms, including thunderstorms, high winds,…
Delaware
Delaware faces a moderate (Level 3 of 5) risk of severe storms each year, including thunderstorms, lightning,…
District of Columbia
Severe storms in the District of Columbia can bring damaging winds, large hail, lightning, and occasional…
Maryland
Severe storms are a significant hazard in Maryland, rated level 3 out of 5 for this risk. These storms can…
Massachusetts
Massachusetts faces a moderate (Level 3 of 5) risk from severe storms, including nor'easters, thunderstorms,…
Michigan
Michigan faces a moderate to high risk of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and damaging winds, rated level 3…
New Jersey
New Jersey faces a moderate risk of severe storms, including damaging winds, hail, lightning, and occasional…
New Mexico
Severe storms are a level 3 (moderate) risk in New Mexico, driven primarily by monsoon-season thunderstorms,…
New York
Severe thunderstorms are a level 3 risk in New York, meaning the state faces a significant chance of damaging…
North Dakota
North Dakota carries a moderate (level 3 of 5) risk of severe storms, including destructive hail, damaging…
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania experiences frequent severe thunderstorms, with the greatest risk from late spring through…
Rhode Island
Rhode Island faces a moderate (Level 3 of 5) risk of severe storms, including damaging winds, hail,…
Virginia
Virginia faces a moderate risk (level 3 of 5) for severe storms, including thunderstorms, damaging winds,…
West Virginia
West Virginia faces a moderate risk (Level 3 of 5) from severe storms, including thunderstorms, hail,…
Wyoming
Wyoming faces a moderate (Level 3 of 5) risk from severe storms, including powerful thunderstorms, large…
Alaska
Alaska experiences severe storms less frequently than other states, but thunderstorms, high winds, and…
California
California faces a moderate (Level 2 of 5) risk from severe storms, including thunderstorms, lightning, large…
Hawaii
Severe storms in Hawaii are relatively uncommon and typically less intense than on the mainland, but they can…
Idaho
Idaho faces a moderate risk of severe storms, primarily during the spring and summer months. These storms can…
Maine
Maine experiences moderate severe thunderstorm risk, primarily from damaging winds, large hail, and…
Montana
Montana has a moderate (level 2 of 5) severe storm risk, with hail, strong winds, lightning, and localized…
Nevada
Nevada has a relatively low but real risk of severe thunderstorms, rated Level 2 of 5 by FEMA. These storms…
New Hampshire
Severe storms in New Hampshire occur primarily during spring and summer, bringing lightning, damaging winds,…
Oregon
Oregon faces a moderate (level 2 of 5) risk of severe storms, including thunderstorms, strong winds, and…
Utah
Utah faces a moderate (Level 2 of 5) risk of severe storms, including thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds,…
Vermont
Severe storms in Vermont bring damaging winds, hail, lightning, and the possibility of tornadoes, especially…
Washington
Washington experiences fewer severe thunderstorms than many other states, but they do occur, especially east…
Related guides
Lightning Protection for Homes: Myths and Facts
Lightning strikes cause billions in property damage each year. Learn common myths and evidence-based facts to protect your home…
Storm-Proof Your Yard: Prep for Severe Thunderstorm Season
Learn how to secure loose items, trim trees, and improve drainage to protect your property from high winds, hail, and heavy…
Hail Damage to Your Roof: Inspection Steps and Insurance Tips
Learn how to inspect your roof for hail damage and navigate the insurance claim process with confidence. This guide provides…