PlainHazard rankings
Natural disaster rankings
Which states and counties face the most natural disasters? These rankings draw on FEMA disaster declarations (1973–2026) and the NOAA Storm Events Database, covering all 50 states, DC, and U.S. territories. See our methodology for how each ranking is built.
Most Disaster-Prone States
All 56 states and territories ranked by total FEMA disaster declarations since 1973. California leads the country.
Most Costly States
States ranked by total property and crop damage recorded in the NOAA Storm Events database.
Deadliest States
States ranked by storm-related fatalities in the NOAA Storm Events database.
States with the Most Storm Injuries
States ranked by storm-related injuries reported to NOAA.
Most Major Disaster Declarations
States ranked by Major Disaster (DR) declarations, the most serious FEMA declaration class.
Safest States from Natural Disasters
States ranked by average county FEMA National Risk Index score. Lower scores rank first.
Tornado Risk by State
States ranked by recorded tornado events in the NOAA Storm Events Database.
Top 10 most disaster-prone states
By total FEMA disaster declarations since 1973. See the full ranking of all 56 states and territories.
| # | State | FEMA Declarations | Top Hazard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 162 | Fire |
| 2 | Washington | 95 | Fire |
| 3 | Oregon | 76 | Fire |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 63 | Fire |
| 5 | Arizona | 42 | Fire |
| 6 | Montana | 40 | Fire |
| 7 | Texas | 39 | Fire |
| 8 | New Mexico | 33 | Fire |
| 9 | Florida | 32 | Hurricane |
| 10 | Nevada | 31 | Fire |
Every figure on PlainHazard is rendered directly from FEMA federal disaster data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on FEMA federal disaster data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or national statistics report, or report a data error.