FEMA National Risk Index hazard
Prepare your home for drought
Long dry periods that hurt crops and, around homes, shift soils and stress wells and landscapes.
297 US counties are rated Relatively High or Very High for drought by FEMA’s National Risk Index. The three things that matter most at home: 1. Watch for new cracks in foundations, walls and door frames; drought shrinks clay soils. 2. Fix running toilets and dripping faucets. 3. If you have a well, know its depth and recent yield.
Before the season
- Note and photograph existing foundation cracks so you can tell if they grow.
- Water foundation plantings evenly on clay soils if local rules allow.
- Check irrigation for leaks and set it to local watering rules.
When a warning comes
- Follow local watering restrictions.
- Shorten showers and run full loads only.
- Cut back lawn watering first; protect trees.
After
- Recheck foundation cracks after rains return; soils swell back.
- Have a well tested if water changes color, smell or pressure.
- Look for dead trees that could fall.
Ask your insurer
Ask whether foundation movement from soil shrinkage is excluded (it often is). We explain and organize; we never predict coverage.
Ready.gov: Drought Checklist: original casaq guidance
Counties with the highest drought 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 | Fresno County, CA | Very High | 100.0 | 2,989 |
| 2 | Monterey County, CA | Very High | 100.0 | 3,276 |
| 3 | Madera County, CA | Very High | 99.9 | 2,639 |
| 4 | Merced County, CA | Very High | 99.9 | 2,212 |
| 5 | San Joaquin County, CA | Very High | 99.9 | 2,037 |
| 6 | Santa Barbara County, CA | Very High | 99.8 | 2,506 |
| 7 | Stanislaus County, CA | Very High | 99.8 | 2,226 |
| 8 | Lubbock County, TX | Very High | 99.8 | 2,681 |
| 9 | Parmer County, TX | Very High | 99.7 | 2,758 |
| 10 | Colusa County, CA | Very High | 99.7 | 2,303 |
| 11 | Butte County, CA | Very High | 99.7 | 2,303 |
| 12 | San Luis Obispo County, CA | Very High | 99.6 | 3,269 |
| 13 | Warren County, MS | Very High | 99.5 | 462 |
| 14 | Napa County, CA | Very High | 99.5 | 2,037 |
| 15 | Glenn County, CA | Relatively High | 99.5 | 2,275 |
| 16 | Santa Cruz County, CA | Relatively High | 99.4 | 1,064 |
| 17 | Doña Ana County, NM | Relatively High | 99.4 | 2,772 |
| 18 | Sacramento County, CA | Relatively High | 99.4 | 2,317 |
| 19 | Sonoma County, CA | Relatively High | 99.3 | 1,610 |
| 20 | Solano County, CA | Relatively High | 99.3 | 2,226 |
| 21 | Cimarron County, OK | Relatively High | 99.3 | 3,829 |
| 22 | Dallam County, TX | Relatively High | 99.2 | 3,584 |
| 23 | Santa Clara County, CA | Relatively High | 99.2 | 2,310 |
| 24 | Moore County, TX | Relatively High | 99.1 | 2,919 |
| 25 | Fannin County, TX | Relatively High | 99.1 | 1,260 |