FEMA National Risk Index hazard
Prepare your home for avalanche
Snow avalanches in mountain terrain.
98 US counties are rated Relatively High or Very High for avalanche by FEMA’s National Risk Index. The three things that matter most at home: 1. Know whether your home or access road crosses avalanche paths. 2. Follow local avalanche center forecasts in winter. 3. Keep supplies for being snowed in for several days.
Before the season
- Check local avalanche path maps with the county.
- Keep a winter emergency kit in the car.
- Plan alternate routes.
When a warning comes
- Avoid avalanche terrain and closed roads.
- Stay indoors in a room away from the uphill side if your home is exposed.
- Follow road closures.
After
- Report damage to local officials.
- Check the roof for snow load.
- Wait for an all clear before travel.
Ask your insurer
Ask how avalanche and snow-load damage is covered. We explain and organize; we never predict coverage.
Avalanche.org (national avalanche center network) Checklist: original casaq guidance
Counties with the highest avalanche scores
Top 25 by FEMA NRI risk score for this hazard. Scores and ratings are relative to other US counties, not probabilities of a loss.
| # | County | Rating | Score | Recorded events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Teton County, WY | Very High | 100.0 | 62 |
| 2 | Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK | Very High | 99.9 | 40 |
| 3 | Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK | Very High | 99.7 | 31 |
| 4 | Park County, MT | Very High | 99.6 | 20 |
| 5 | King County, WA | Very High | 99.3 | 32 |
| 6 | Salt Lake County, UT | Very High | 99.1 | 46 |
| 7 | Summit County, CO | Very High | 99.0 | 32 |
| 8 | Pitkin County, CO | Very High | 98.8 | 42 |
| 9 | Lincoln County, WY | Very High | 98.7 | 44 |
| 10 | Flathead County, MT | Very High | 98.5 | 15 |
| 11 | Pierce County, WA | Very High | 98.4 | 27 |
| 12 | Whatcom County, WA | Very High | 98.2 | 15 |
| 13 | Summit County, UT | Very High | 98.1 | 46 |
| 14 | Clear Creek County, CO | Very High | 98.0 | 26 |
| 15 | Placer County, CA | Very High | 97.8 | 14 |
| 16 | Kittitas County, WA | Very High | 97.7 | 10 |
| 17 | Coos County, NH | Very High | 97.5 | 8 |
| 18 | Madison County, MT | Very High | 97.4 | 12 |
| 19 | Anchorage Municipality, AK | Very High | 97.1 | 30 |
| 20 | Blaine County, ID | Very High | 96.9 | 15 |
| 21 | Custer County, ID | Very High | 96.8 | 7 |
| 22 | Gallatin County, MT | Very High | 96.6 | 20 |
| 23 | Inyo County, CA | Very High | 96.5 | 5 |
| 24 | Eagle County, CO | Very High | 96.3 | 37 |
| 25 | Gunnison County, CO | Very High | 96.2 | 38 |