FEMA National Risk Index hazard
Prepare your home for winter weather
Snow, sleet, freezing rain and blizzards.
467 US counties are rated Relatively High or Very High for winter weather by FEMA’s National Risk Index. The three things that matter most at home: 1. Clean gutters so melting snow drains instead of forming ice dams. 2. Check attic insulation and air sealing; warm attics cause ice dams. 3. Keep a snow shovel, ice melt and a backup heat plan.
Before the season
- Clear gutters after leaf fall and check downspouts drain away from the house.
- Have the furnace or boiler serviced and stock filters.
- Keep vents for a high-efficiency furnace or water heater clear of snow.
When a warning comes
- Keep exterior vents and the dryer vent clear of drifting snow.
- Charge phones; have flashlights and blankets ready for outages.
- Never use a gas oven or grill to heat the house.
After
- Rake snow off the roof edge from the ground if ice dams form; do not climb on an icy roof.
- Look for water stains on ceilings near exterior walls.
- Clear snow from the gas meter and furnace vents.
Ask your insurer
Ask whether ice-dam water damage is covered and what the insurer expects you to do to prevent it. We explain and organize; we never predict coverage.
Ready.gov: Winter weather Checklist: original casaq guidance
Counties with the highest winter weather 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 | Cook County, IL | Very High | 100.0 | 163 |
| 2 | Johnson County, KS | Very High | 100.0 | 214 |
| 3 | El Paso County, CO | Very High | 99.9 | 276 |
| 4 | El Paso County, TX | Very High | 99.9 | 46 |
| 5 | Kings County, NY | Very High | 99.9 | 137 |
| 6 | Montgomery County, PA | Very High | 99.8 | 236 |
| 7 | Potter County, TX | Very High | 99.8 | 204 |
| 8 | Philadelphia County, PA | Very High | 99.8 | 200 |
| 9 | Queens County, NY | Very High | 99.7 | 116 |
| 10 | Penobscot County, ME | Very High | 99.7 | 490 |
| 11 | Baltimore County, MD | Very High | 99.7 | 217 |
| 12 | Burleigh County, ND | Very High | 99.6 | 369 |
| 13 | Gallatin County, MT | Very High | 99.6 | 936 |
| 14 | Cass County, ND | Very High | 99.6 | 461 |
| 15 | Erie County, NY | Very High | 99.5 | 827 |
| 16 | Lancaster County, PA | Very High | 99.5 | 233 |
| 17 | New Castle County, DE | Very High | 99.5 | 197 |
| 18 | Ocean County, NJ | Very High | 99.4 | 126 |
| 19 | Berks County, PA | Very High | 99.4 | 240 |
| 20 | Cascade County, MT | Very High | 99.3 | 868 |
| 21 | Randall County, TX | Very High | 99.3 | 201 |
| 22 | Bronx County, NY | Very High | 99.3 | 165 |
| 23 | Delaware County, PA | Very High | 99.2 | 199 |
| 24 | Montgomery County, MD | Very High | 99.2 | 229 |
| 25 | Aroostook County, ME | Very High | 99.2 | 564 |