FEMA National Risk Index hazard
Prepare your home for lightning
Lightning strikes that cause fires and damage to buildings and electronics.
570 US counties are rated Relatively High or Very High for lightning by FEMA’s National Risk Index. The three things that matter most at home: 1. Use surge protection for electronics; ask an electrician about a whole-home surge protector. 2. Keep trees near the house healthy and trimmed. 3. Unplug sensitive electronics before a storm if you can.
Before the season
- Ask an electrician whether a whole-home surge protective device fits your panel.
- Check that smoke alarms work; lightning-caused fires can start in attics.
- Back up computers and important files.
When a warning comes
- Stay indoors and off corded phones and plumbing during the storm.
- Unplug electronics you can reach safely.
- Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going outside.
After
- Check the attic and roof area for smoke or scorch marks if a strike was close.
- Test smoke alarms if the power surged.
- Have an electrician inspect if breakers keep tripping.
Ask your insurer
Ask whether power-surge damage to appliances is covered and what documentation the insurer wants. We explain and organize; we never predict coverage.
National Weather Service: Lightning safety Checklist: original casaq guidance
Counties with the highest lightning 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 | Broward County, FL | Very High | 100.0 | 1,955,115 |
| 2 | Honolulu County, HI | Very High | 100.0 | 1,081,291 |
| 3 | Miami-Dade County, FL | Very High | 99.9 | 3,071,481 |
| 4 | Harris County, TX | Very High | 99.9 | 3,820,963 |
| 5 | El Paso County, TX | Very High | 99.9 | 665,893 |
| 6 | Pinellas County, FL | Very High | 99.8 | 1,768,057 |
| 7 | Palm Beach County, FL | Very High | 99.8 | 1,566,527 |
| 8 | Lee County, FL | Very High | 99.8 | 1,774,406 |
| 9 | Jefferson County, CO | Very High | 99.7 | 478,725 |
| 10 | Jefferson County, TX | Very High | 99.7 | 671,825 |
| 11 | Hillsborough County, FL | Very High | 99.7 | 1,892,661 |
| 12 | Montgomery County, TX | Very High | 99.7 | 496,926 |
| 13 | Polk County, FL | Very High | 99.6 | 1,425,677 |
| 14 | Sarasota County, FL | Very High | 99.6 | 869,366 |
| 15 | Coconino County, AZ | Very High | 99.6 | 471,106 |
| 16 | Navajo County, AZ | Very High | 99.5 | 439,075 |
| 17 | Jefferson County, AL | Very High | 99.5 | 1,718,779 |
| 18 | Orange County, FL | Very High | 99.5 | 1,611,219 |
| 19 | Collier County, FL | Very High | 99.4 | 522,950 |
| 20 | Brevard County, FL | Very High | 99.4 | 783,630 |
| 21 | Fort Bend County, TX | Very High | 99.4 | 730,017 |
| 22 | Volusia County, FL | Very High | 99.3 | 937,668 |
| 23 | St. Louis County, MO | Very High | 99.3 | 837,163 |
| 24 | Douglas County, CO | Very High | 99.3 | 293,036 |
| 25 | Calcasieu Parish, LA | Very High | 99.2 | 406,485 |