FEMA National Risk Index hazard
Prepare your home for hail
Hailstorm damage to buildings, crops and vehicles.
191 US counties are rated Relatively High or Very High for hail by FEMA’s National Risk Index. The three things that matter most at home: 1. Photograph the roof and siding now, so you have a dated before picture. 2. Ask about impact-rated (UL 2218 Class 4) shingles when the roof is replaced. 3. Know your policy’s wind and hail deductible in dollars.
Before the season
- Keep a dated photo of the roof, gutters, siding and window screens.
- Find out the roof’s age and keep proof (permit, invoice); insurers ask.
- When re-roofing, compare impact-rated products.
When a warning comes
- Park vehicles in a garage or under cover.
- Close blinds and stay away from windows and skylights.
- Bring in outdoor furniture cushions and potted plants.
After
- Look for dents on gutters, vents and downspouts from the ground; they show where hail hit.
- Be wary of door-to-door "storm chaser" roofers; check licenses and never sign on the spot.
- Get your own inspection before agreeing to a roofer’s claim estimate.
Ask your insurer
Ask whether your roof is covered at replacement cost or actual cash value, and whether cosmetic hail damage is excluded. We explain and organize; we never predict coverage.
NOAA NSSL: Hail basics Checklist: original casaq guidance
Counties with the highest hail 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 | Dallas County, TX | Very High | 100.0 | 339 |
| 2 | Tarrant County, TX | Very High | 100.0 | 358 |
| 3 | Bexar County, TX | Very High | 99.9 | 112 |
| 4 | Collin County, TX | Very High | 99.9 | 333 |
| 5 | Denver County, CO | Very High | 99.9 | 315 |
| 6 | Arapahoe County, CO | Very High | 99.8 | 327 |
| 7 | Jefferson County, CO | Very High | 99.8 | 261 |
| 8 | Lubbock County, TX | Very High | 99.8 | 187 |
| 9 | St. Louis County, MO | Very High | 99.7 | 200 |
| 10 | Adams County, CO | Very High | 99.7 | 310 |
| 11 | Denton County, TX | Very High | 99.7 | 370 |
| 12 | Oklahoma County, OK | Very High | 99.7 | 426 |
| 13 | Potter County, TX | Very High | 99.6 | 319 |
| 14 | Hennepin County, MN | Very High | 99.6 | 244 |
| 15 | El Paso County, TX | Very High | 99.6 | 16 |
| 16 | Maricopa County, AZ | Very High | 99.5 | 11 |
| 17 | Warren County, KY | Very High | 99.5 | 119 |
| 18 | Douglas County, NE | Very High | 99.5 | 261 |
| 19 | Hale County, TX | Very High | 99.4 | 218 |
| 20 | Travis County, TX | Very High | 99.4 | 148 |
| 21 | Jackson County, MO | Very High | 99.4 | 310 |
| 22 | Taylor County, TX | Very High | 99.3 | 215 |
| 23 | Columbia County, WI | Very High | 99.3 | 138 |
| 24 | Hinds County, MS | Very High | 99.3 | 158 |
| 25 | Hidalgo County, TX | Very High | 99.2 | 21 |