FEMA National Risk Index hazard
Prepare your home for strong wind
Damaging straight-line winds from thunderstorms and other non-tornado wind events.
505 US counties are rated Relatively High or Very High for strong wind by FEMA’s National Risk Index. The three things that matter most at home: 1. Trim dead or overhanging branches before storm season. 2. Check that gutters, siding and roof edges are fastened tight. 3. Tie down or store outdoor furniture, grills and trampolines.
Before the season
- Walk the roof edges (from the ground) for lifted shingles or loose flashing.
- Remove dead trees near the house; ask an arborist about large limbs.
- Know where your main breaker and water shutoff are.
When a warning comes
- Bring in loose items and close garage doors (they are a weak point in high wind).
- Stay away from windows.
- Charge phones and keep flashlights handy for outages.
After
- Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the utility.
- Photograph damage before any cleanup.
- Never run a generator indoors or in a garage.
Ask your insurer
Ask whether wind damage carries a separate deductible on your policy. We explain and organize; we never predict coverage.
National Weather Service: Wind safety Checklist: original casaq guidance
Counties with the highest strong wind 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 | Monmouth County, NJ | Very High | 100.0 | 175 |
| 2 | Jackson County, OK | Very High | 100.0 | 156 |
| 3 | Ocean County, NJ | Very High | 99.9 | 136 |
| 4 | Orange County, FL | Very High | 99.9 | 40 |
| 5 | Polk County, FL | Very High | 99.9 | 38 |
| 6 | Osceola County, FL | Very High | 99.8 | 37 |
| 7 | Highlands County, FL | Very High | 99.8 | 22 |
| 8 | Lubbock County, TX | Very High | 99.8 | 85 |
| 9 | Kings County, NY | Very High | 99.7 | 191 |
| 10 | Wayne County, MI | Very High | 99.7 | 184 |
| 11 | Queens County, NY | Very High | 99.7 | 148 |
| 12 | Atlantic County, NJ | Very High | 99.6 | 143 |
| 13 | Cook County, IL | Very High | 99.6 | 129 |
| 14 | Mercer County, NJ | Very High | 99.5 | 267 |
| 15 | Douglas County, NE | Very High | 99.5 | 166 |
| 16 | New York County, NY | Very High | 99.5 | 205 |
| 17 | Tulsa County, OK | Very High | 99.4 | 257 |
| 18 | Stone County, MO | Very High | 99.4 | 226 |
| 19 | Dakota County, MN | Very High | 99.4 | 181 |
| 20 | Bronx County, NY | Very High | 99.3 | 205 |
| 21 | Harris County, TX | Very High | 99.3 | 58 |
| 22 | Lancaster County, NE | Very High | 99.2 | 171 |
| 23 | Polk County, IA | Very High | 99.2 | 229 |
| 24 | DuPage County, IL | Very High | 99.2 | 220 |
| 25 | Westchester County, NY | Very High | 99.1 | 189 |