PlainHazard guide
Natural Disaster Guides
Educational resources for understanding FEMA disaster declarations, NOAA storm events, and regional hazard patterns across the United States. Data from the FEMA National Risk Index and NOAA Storm Events database, covering hazard risk across all 50 states; see our methodology.
All guides draw on federal data: FEMA disaster declarations (1973–2026), the NOAA Storm Events Database (2015–2025), and the FEMA National Risk Index covering 2,729 counties across all 50 states, DC, and U.S. territories.
Understanding FEMA Disaster Data
What FEMA disaster declarations mean, the difference between major and emergency declarations, and how NOAA tracks storm events across the country.
Natural Hazard Risk by Region
Geographic patterns in federal disaster data, which regions face the most hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes based on historical records.
How to Use Hazard Data for Preparedness
How to use PlainHazard data to assess your area's historical risk profile and what patterns in federal data reveal about recurring hazards.
Most Disaster-Prone Counties in America
Ranking US counties by cumulative FEMA declarations since 1973. Top 20 most disaster-prone counties, primary hazard types, and what drives high declaration counts.
Climate Change and Increasing Disasters
Decade-by-decade trend analysis: how US natural disaster frequency and cost have changed since the 1950s, based on FEMA and NOAA billion-dollar disaster data.
Safety notice: This content is for informational purposes only. Always follow official guidance from local authorities and emergency services.
How are these guides sourced?
Our guides are based on publicly available data from authoritative government sources. All statistics, ratings, and figures cited in these guides are drawn directly from official datasets and publications, with sources clearly referenced throughout.
We aim to present complex government data in plain language that is accessible to general audiences. When methodologies differ between data sources or change over time, we note these variations inline. Our editorial process includes regular reviews to ensure accuracy and timeliness of the information presented.