How to Prepare for Natural Disasters Based on Your County's Risk Profile

Every county in America faces some form of natural disaster risk. But the type and severity of that risk varies enormously by location. A family in coastal Florida needs a hurricane evacuation plan, while a family in central Oklahoma needs a tornado safe room. Effective preparation starts with knowing your specific risk profile.

Using FEMA National Risk Index data, this guide connects county-level risk scores to practical preparedness actions. Whether your county faces flood, wildfire, tornado, earthquake, or hurricane risk — here is what the data suggests you should do.

Step 1: Know Your County's Risk Profile

Before creating a preparedness plan, look up your county on RiskByCounty to understand which hazard types score highest. Most counties face one or two dominant risks — your plan should prioritize those.

Your county page shows five individual hazard scores: flood, wildfire, tornado, earthquake, and hurricane. Focus on any hazard scoring above 60 (top 40% nationally). Scores above 80 indicate your county is in the highest-risk fifth of the country for that hazard.

Step 2: Prepare for Flood Risk

Flooding is the most common and widespread natural disaster in the United States. FEMA estimates that just one inch of water in a home can cause $25,000 in damage. Counties with high flood scores should take these steps:

• Purchase flood insurance. Standard homeowner policies do not cover flood damage. NFIP policies are available through FEMA, and private flood insurance is increasingly competitive on price.
• Know your flood zone. Check FEMA's flood map service (msc.fema.gov) to determine if your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area. Properties in these zones face a 26% chance of flooding over a 30-year mortgage.
• Elevate critical systems. If you live in a flood-prone area, elevate electrical panels, HVAC equipment, and water heaters above the base flood elevation.
• Create a go-bag. Floods can develop rapidly, especially flash floods. Keep a 72-hour emergency kit ready with medications, documents, water, and food.
• Document your property. Before any flood event, photograph or video all rooms and possessions for insurance claims.

Step 3: Prepare for Wildfire Risk

Wildfire risk has increased dramatically over the past two decades, particularly in Western states. Counties with high wildfire scores should focus on defensible space and evacuation planning:

• Create defensible space. Clear vegetation, dead leaves, and combustible materials within 30 feet of your home. Thin trees and brush within 100 feet.
• Harden your home. Replace wood shake roofs with fire-resistant materials. Install ember-resistant vents. Use tempered glass for windows. These upgrades can significantly reduce the chance of home ignition.
• Plan evacuation routes. Identify two exit routes from your property and neighborhood. Wildfires can move faster than expected — do not wait for mandatory evacuation orders to prepare.
• Sign up for local alerts. Most counties in high-wildfire areas have emergency notification systems (e.g., Nixle, Everbridge). Register your phone number and email.
• Review insurance coverage. Wildfire-related claims have driven major changes in the insurance market. Ensure your policy covers full replacement cost and loss of use (temporary housing).

Step 4: Prepare for Tornado Risk

Tornadoes can form with little warning and cause catastrophic damage in seconds. Counties in the central US and Southeast face the highest risk. Preparation focuses on sheltering and early warning:

• Identify your safe room. The safest location during a tornado is an underground storm shelter or a FEMA-rated safe room. If neither is available, use an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
• Install a weather radio. NOAA Weather Radio provides the fastest tornado warnings, faster than smartphone apps. Battery-powered models with alarm functions are available for under $30.
• Know the difference between watch and warning. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable — stay alert. A tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted or detected — take shelter immediately.
• Secure outdoor items. Flying debris causes most tornado injuries and fatalities. Anchor or store outdoor furniture, trampolines, and loose items before severe weather season.
• Practice tornado drills. Every household member should know the plan. Practice moving to your safe room in under 60 seconds.

Step 5: Prepare for Earthquake Risk

Earthquake risk is concentrated along fault lines — primarily the West Coast, Alaska, and the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the central US. Earthquakes strike without warning, making preparation especially important:

• Secure heavy objects. Anchor bookcases, water heaters, and large appliances to wall studs. Use earthquake putty for items on shelves. Falling objects cause most earthquake injuries.
• Know "Drop, Cover, Hold On." During shaking, drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on until shaking stops. Do not stand in doorways (a persistent myth) and do not run outside.
• Purchase earthquake insurance. Standard homeowner policies exclude earthquake damage. In California, the CEA offers policies through participating insurers. Other states have private market options.
• Retrofit older homes. Houses built before 1980 may not be bolted to their foundations. Cripple wall bracing and foundation bolting are the most cost-effective seismic retrofits.
• Store emergency supplies. Earthquakes can disrupt water and power for days. Keep a 72-hour supply of water (one gallon per person per day), food, flashlights, and a first aid kit.

Step 6: Prepare for Hurricane Risk

Hurricanes affect Gulf and Atlantic coastal counties with sustained winds, storm surge, and flooding. Unlike tornadoes and earthquakes, hurricanes provide days of advance warning — use that time:

• Know your evacuation zone. Most coastal counties have designated evacuation zones (A, B, C or numbered). Know your zone and the evacuation route before hurricane season begins.
• Install or pre-position storm shutters. Protect windows with permanent shutters, plywood, or impact-resistant glass. Window failure during a hurricane leads to rapid pressure changes that can destroy a roof.
• Review wind and flood insurance. Wind damage requires a separate windstorm policy in many coastal states. Flood damage requires a separate flood policy. Do not assume your standard homeowner policy covers hurricane damage.
• Fuel vehicles and stock supplies early. When a hurricane watch is issued, gas stations and stores experience immediate rush. Fill up and stock supplies at the beginning of hurricane season (June 1).
• Protect important documents. Store insurance policies, identification, and financial documents in a waterproof container. Photograph or scan them and store digital copies in the cloud.

General Preparedness for All Counties

Regardless of your specific hazard profile, every household should maintain baseline emergency preparedness:

• 72-hour emergency kit with water, food, medications, flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid supplies, and cash.
• Family communication plan with out-of-area contact person, meeting locations, and emergency phone numbers.
• Copies of important documents including insurance policies, identification, and medical records.
• Current home inventory for insurance claims — photos or video of every room and major possession.
• Knowledge of local emergency notification systems — register for county alerts.

Methodology

Risk data referenced in this article comes from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). County-level hazard scores use percentile-rank methodology on a 0-100 scale. Preparedness recommendations are based on guidance from FEMA (ready.gov), the American Red Cross, and the National Weather Service. This article is informational and does not replace professional emergency management guidance.