PlainHazard
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of disasters does PlainHazard cover?
PlainHazard covers two categories: FEMA federally declared disasters (major disaster declarations, emergency declarations, and fire management assistance grants) and NOAA Storm Events (50+ event types including tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, hail, thunderstorms, winter storms, lightning, and wildfires). NOAA Storm Events data covers 2015–2025.
What is a FEMA major disaster declaration?
A major disaster declaration (DR) is issued by the President when a disaster overwhelms the capacity of state and local governments to respond. It unlocks federal assistance including Individual Assistance for households and Public Assistance for governments and nonprofits. The declaration process involves a governor's request, FEMA assessment, and presidential approval.
Why does my state have many FEMA declarations but low NOAA storm damage?
FEMA declarations and NOAA Storm Events measure different things. FEMA declarations are administrative events, a disaster can be declared for reasons including drought, civil unrest, or infrastructure failures that may not appear prominently in NOAA weather data. The two datasets complement each other rather than duplicate each other.
How are property damage figures calculated?
Property and crop damage figures come directly from NOAA Storm Events reports, provided in nominal dollars as estimated at the time of the event. They are not inflation-adjusted. Damage estimates for large events (hurricanes, major floods) are typically more thoroughly documented than for smaller local events.
Can I use this data for home insurance decisions?
Historical hazard data can inform your understanding of the types of risks in an area, but it should not be used as the sole basis for insurance decisions. Always consult with your insurance agent about specific coverage needs for your property. Historical frequency does not guarantee future risk, especially given changing climate patterns.
How often is the data updated?
FEMA disaster declaration data is updated continuously via the OpenFEMA API as new declarations are issued. NOAA Storm Events data is published annually with a lag of several months after the end of the data year. We update our database periodically as new data becomes available.
Is PlainHazard affiliated with FEMA or NOAA?
No. PlainHazard is not affiliated with FEMA, NOAA, or any government agency. We are an independent data portal presenting publicly available government data in a more accessible format.