Severe Storms Risk by US State — Maps, Data & Home Preparedness | HomeRiskMap

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

Highest exposure first. Click a state for the full severe storms briefing and source links.

Kansas If you live in Kansas, severe storms aren't a maybe—they're a when. The state gets a 5 out of 5 for severe… Very High Nebraska Nebraska is rated level 5 out of 5 for severe storm risk. The state experiences frequent severe… Very High Oklahoma Oklahoma is rated at the highest risk level for severe storms, which can bring large hail, damaging winds,… Very High Texas Severe storms are a major risk in Texas, with frequent thunderstorms, large hail, damaging winds, and… Very High Alabama Alabama is one of the most storm-prone states in the country, with severe thunderstorms possible in every… High Arkansas Arkansas sits in a storm alley that regularly delivers hail, high winds, and tornadoes. If you own a home… High Colorado Colorado gets more hail and severe wind than most people expect, and a level 4 rating means your roof,… High Florida Florida gets severe storms year-round, and the statewide risk rating is 4 out of 5. Here's what that means… High Georgia If you own a home in Georgia, severe storms are the hazard you will likely deal with most often — hail,… High Illinois Illinois gets severe storms that can throw hail, straight-line winds, and tornadoes at your roof in the same… High Indiana Severe storms in Indiana can drop hail, spin up tornadoes, and push straight-line winds that peel shingles… High Iowa If you own a home in Iowa, severe storms are not a distant what-if — they're a regular part of the year,… High Kentucky Severe storms in Kentucky are a level 4 of 5 risk, mostly from hail, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and… High Louisiana Louisiana sits at a level 4 out of 5 for severe storms, so hail, wind, and tornadoes are a real part of… High Minnesota Minnesota sits where warm Gulf moisture meets cold Canadian air, making severe thunderstorms a regular part… High Mississippi Severe thunderstorms are a frequent and statewide hazard in Mississippi, which sits in a warm, humid Gulf… High Missouri Severe storms—including thunderstorms, damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes—are a significant risk… High North Carolina Severe storms are a statewide hazard in North Carolina, rated 4 out of 5 for risk. Spring squall lines and… High Ohio Ohio faces a high risk of severe storms, including damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. The state's… High South Carolina South Carolina experiences frequent severe thunderstorms, especially from March through August, bringing… High South Dakota South Dakota experiences severe thunderstorms, large hail, damaging straight-line winds, and tornadoes every… High Tennessee Severe storms are a common and significant risk in Tennessee, rated level 4 out of 5 on the state's hazard… High Wisconsin Severe storms in Wisconsin can produce damaging winds, large hail, lightning, and tornadoes, especially from… High Arizona Arizona gets hit by monsoon storms, microbursts, hail, and flash floods, and the statewide risk is a 3 out of… Moderate Connecticut Connecticut gets hit by severe storms more often than many people think — damaging winds, hail, and the… Moderate Delaware Delaware's severe storm risk is a 3 out of 5, which means hail, high winds, and the occasional tornado are… Moderate District of Columbia If you own a home in the District of Columbia, severe storms are a middle-of-the-road risk overall, but the… Moderate Maryland Severe thunderstorms are a recurring warm-season hazard in Maryland, bringing damaging straight-line winds,… Moderate Massachusetts Massachusetts experiences severe thunderstorms that can produce damaging winds, large hail, frequent… Moderate Michigan Michigan experiences severe thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds, and occasional tornadoes, especially from… Moderate New Jersey Severe storms in New Jersey are most often severe thunderstorms that bring damaging winds, hail, lightning,… Moderate New Mexico Severe storms in New Mexico bring damaging hail, powerful straight-line winds, frequent lightning, and flash… Moderate New York New York experiences severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, large hail, and occasional tornadoes, with the… Moderate North Dakota Severe thunderstorms are a statewide hazard in North Dakota, bringing large hail, damaging straight-line… Moderate Pennsylvania Severe storms in Pennsylvania can bring damaging winds, large hail, lightning, and flash flooding. The state… Moderate Rhode Island Severe thunderstorms are a recurring warm-season hazard in Rhode Island, capable of producing damaging… Moderate Virginia Severe thunderstorms are a regular part of life in Virginia, bringing damaging straight-line winds, large… Moderate West Virginia West Virginia experiences severe thunderstorms, damaging straight-line winds, hail, lightning and occasional… Moderate Wyoming If you're buying a house in Wyoming, know that severe storms here mean hail, high wind, and flash floods. The… Moderate Alaska Alaska's severe storms are a level 2 out of 5 risk statewide, but that still means high winds, hail, and… Low California California's severe storm risk is a 2 out of 5 statewide, but that doesn't mean you can ignore it. If you own… Low Hawaii Hawaii's severe storm risk is a 2 out of 5, which means you're less likely to get a tornado than in the… Low Idaho Severe storms in Idaho are less about hurricanes and more about hail, straight-line winds, lightning, and… Low Maine Severe storms in Maine are most common from late spring through early fall and can bring damaging winds,… Low Montana Severe storms in Montana typically bring large hail, damaging winds, lightning, and occasional tornadoes,… Low Nevada Severe storms in Nevada are less frequent than in many other states, but they can bring damaging hail, high… Low New Hampshire Severe storms in New Hampshire are a moderate-level hazard, arriving mainly as summer thunderstorms that… Low Oregon Severe storms in Oregon are rated a level 2 out of 5 risk by FEMA, meaning they are less frequent than in… Low Utah Utah has a relatively low severe storm risk (level 2 of 5), but thunderstorms still occur, mainly from late… Low Vermont Vermont is rated 2 out of 5 for severe storm risk. Damaging straight-line winds, lightning, hail and… Low Washington Washington state has a relatively low risk of severe storms, rated 2 out of 5. Severe thunderstorms are most… Low

Official maps for severe storms

About these rankings

Which states have the highest severe storms risk?: Kansas currently ranks at the top of this list (Very High). Rankings are statewide averages — a county can sit well above or below that score.
Does homeowners insurance cover severe storms?: Hail and wind are common claim types. Keep a dated photo of the roof. Flooding from the same thunderstorm is a different policy.
How should I use this ranking?: Find your state, open the state × hazard page, then verify the address on the official maps linked there. This page is a comparison tool, not a determination.

Last updated: June 12, 2026. Rankings are state-wide estimates based on public hazard data (FEMA, NOAA, USGS) — always verify your specific address with official sources.

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