Questions and answers
Short answers about what PlainHazard covers and how to read it. The methodology has the full method.
Published · Updated
What natural hazards does PlainHazard cover?
Every natural hazard NOAA files in its Storm Events Database (48 event types) and every FEMA declaration, for every U.S. county and county equivalent (3,266), every state, DC and the territories: 2,004,972 storm events NOAA recorded from 1950, 73,458 tornadoes and FEMA's 5,269 disaster declarations since 1953, with FEMA's flood insurance claims and National Risk Index.
How far back does the storm record go?
NOAA recorded only tornadoes from 1950, added thunderstorm wind and hail in 1955, and every one of its 48 event types from 1996. PlainHazard compares each hazard only over the years it was fully recorded.
How current is it?
The newest storm record is from June 30, 2026; NOAA publishes each month about 75 days after it ends. FEMA declarations are loaded through October 2, 2026.
Why does my county have many storms but few FEMA declarations, or the reverse?
A storm record is an observation; a declaration is a federal decision on a state's request after a disaster large enough to need federal help. Across counties the two barely move together.
What do FEMA's DR, EM and FM declarations mean?
DR is a major disaster declaration, EM an emergency declaration and FM a fire management assistance declaration. Each county page lists the ones that named the county.
What does my county's risk rating mean?
It is FEMA's National Risk Index rating, a model of expected loss, social vulnerability and resilience, not a count of past disasters. The guide to reading FEMA risk scores explains it.
Where can I download FEMA's disaster declarations as CSV?
FEMA publishes the whole Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2) file as CSV at https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v2/DisasterDeclarationsSummaries.csv. PlainHazard's county and state tables are on its data page, released under CC0.
Is PlainHazard a government site?
No. PlainHazard is independent and not affiliated with NOAA or FEMA; the about page says who publishes it and how to reach them.