How Climate Risk Affects Your Home State

Last Updated: 12/15/2021
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A significant portion of climate change discourse focuses on long-term weather changes. But what about your climate risk today? To help you understand how local weather emergencies could affect your personal finances and insurance needs, MoneyGeek analyzed data from FEMA and ranked each state’s climate risk.

Whether you want to safeguard your family home or build an emergency fund, this study provides valuable information on the financial, agricultural and social impact of weather emergencies.

By providing an annual outlook on your state’s climate risk, this study can help you determine if your homeowners policy provides the coverage that you need. It can also help you understand how climate risk affects your renters insurance needs, so you can protect your belongings.

Review MoneyGeek’s full analysis for a comprehensive look at climate risk in your state and how this could affect your homeowner’s insurance needs. You can find our ranking of all 50 states and the District of Columbia in order of least to most climate risk below.


  • 51. Rhode Island
    Rhode IslandDowntown Providence, Rhode Island.
    • Riverine FloodingGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $16Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $15Expected Loss per Capita
  • 50. District of Columbia
    District of ColumbiaU.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
    • Strong WindGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $17Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $28Expected Loss per Capita
  • 49. Vermont
    VermontDowntown Montpelier, Vermont.
    • Riverine FloodingGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $25Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $40Expected Loss per Capita
  • 48. Delaware
    DelawareDowntown Wilmington, Delaware.
    • Coastal FloodingGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $34Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $37Expected Loss per Capita
  • 47. New Hampshire
    New HampshireDowntown Manchester, New Hampshire.
    • Riverine FloodingGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $42Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $32Expected Loss per Capita
  • 46. Maine
    MaineDowntown Portland, Maine.
    • DroughtGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $54Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $41Expected Loss per Capita
  • 45. Connecticut
    ConnecticutDowntown Hartford, Connecticut.
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $59Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $16Expected Loss per Capita
  • 44. Wyoming
    WyomingDowntown Cheyenne, Wyoming.
    • AvalancheGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $64Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $114Expected Loss per Capita
  • 43. Montana
    MontanaDowntown Missoula, Montana.
    • EarthquakeGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $89Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $90Expected Loss per Capita
  • 42. West Virginia
    West VirginiaDowntown Charleston, West Virginia.
    • Riverine FloodingGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $100Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $54Expected Loss per Capita
  • 41. Massachusetts
    MassachusettsDowntown Boston, Massachusetts.
    • Riverine FloodingGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $126Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $19Expected Loss per Capita
  • 40. Alaska
    AlaskaDowntown Anchorage, Alaska.
    • EarthquakeGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $134Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $189Expected Loss per Capita
  • 39. North Dakota
    North DakotaDowntown Fargo, North Dakota.
    • Cold WaveGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $141Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $209Expected Loss per Capita
  • 38. Idaho
    IdahoDowntown Boise, Idaho.
    • DroughtGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $148Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $94Expected Loss per Capita
  • 37. Hawaii
    HawaiiWaikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii.
    • EarthquakeGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $159Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $117Expected Loss per Capita
  • 36. New Mexico
    New MexicoDowntown Albuquerque, New Mexico.
    • DroughtGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $165Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $80Expected Loss per Capita
  • 35. Maryland
    MarylandDowntown Baltimore, Maryland.
    • DroughtGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $221Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $38Expected Loss per Capita
  • 34. South Dakota
    South DakotaDowntown Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $221Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $272Expected Loss per Capita
  • 33. Wisconsin
    WisconsinDowntown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $267Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $47Expected Loss per Capita
  • 32. Utah
    UtahDowntown Salt Lake City, Utah.
    • EarthquakeGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $296Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $107Expected Loss per Capita
  • 31. Arizona
    ArizonaDowntown Phoenix, Arizona.
    • WildfireGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $302Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $47Expected Loss per Capita
  • 30. Virginia
    VirginiaDowntown Rosslyn, Virginia.
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $320Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $40Expected Loss per Capita
  • 29. Nevada
    NevadaDowntown Las Vegas, Nevada.
    • EarthquakeGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $347Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $128Expected Loss per Capita
  • 28. Michigan
    MichiganDowntown Detroit, Michigan.
    • Strong WindGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $365Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $37Expected Loss per Capita
  • 27. Pennsylvania
    PennsylvaniaDowntown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
    • Riverine FloodingGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $413Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $32Expected Loss per Capita
  • 26. Nebraska
    NebraskaDowntown Omaha, Nebraska.
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $442Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $242Expected Loss per Capita
  • 25. Ohio
    OhioDowntown Columbus, Ohio.
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $448Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $39Expected Loss per Capita
  • 24. South Carolina
    South CarolinaDowntown Charleston, South Carolina.
    • EarthquakeGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $453Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $98Expected Loss per Capita
  • 23. Indiana
    IndianaDowntown Indianapolis, Indiana.
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $460Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $71Expected Loss per Capita
  • 22. Kentucky
    KentuckyDowntown Louisville, Kentucky.
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $485Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $112Expected Loss per Capita
  • 21. Colorado
    ColoradoDowntown Denver, Colorado.
    • HailGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $485Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $97Expected Loss per Capita
  • 20. New York
    New YorkDowntown New York, New York.
    • Riverine FloodingGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $487Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $25Expected Loss per Capita
  • 19. Minnesota
    MinnesotaDowntown Minneapolis, Minnesota.
    • DroughtGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $508Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $96Expected Loss per Capita
  • 18. Arkansas
    ArkansasDowntown Little Rock, Arkansas.
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $523Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $179Expected Loss per Capita
  • 17. Alabama
    AlabamaDowntown Huntsville, Alabama.
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $547Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $114Expected Loss per Capita
  • 16. Kansas
    KansasDowntown Wichita, Kansas.
    • DroughtGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $574Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $201Expected Loss per Capita
  • 15. Oregon
    OregonDowntown Portland, Oregon.
    • EarthquakeGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $591Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $154Expected Loss per Capita
  • 14. Mississippi
    MississippiDowntown Jackson, Mississippi.
    • HurricaneGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $596Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $201Expected Loss per Capita
  • 13. Iowa
    IowaDowntown Des Moines, Iowa.
    • DroughtGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $623Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $205Expected Loss per Capita
  • 12. Georgia
    GeorgiaDowntown Atlanta, Georgia
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $625Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $64Expected Loss per Capita
  • 11. Oklahoma
    OklahomaDowntown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $634Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $169Expected Loss per Capita
  • 10. Tennessee
    TennesseeDowntown Nashville, Tennessee.
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $787Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $124Expected Loss per Capita
  • 9. Illinois
    IllinoisDowntown Chicago, Illinois.
    • TornadoGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $850Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $66Expected Loss per Capita
  • 8. New Jersey
    New JerseyJersey City, New Jersey.
    • Coastal FloodingGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $851Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $97Expected Loss per Capita
  • 7. Missouri
    MissouriDowntown Kansas City, Missouri.
    • Heat WaveGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $870Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $145Expected Loss per Capita
  • 6. Washington
    WashingtonDowntown Seattle, Washington.
    • EarthquakeGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $1,012Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $151Expected Loss per Capita
  • 5. North Carolina
    North CarolinaDowntown Charlotte, North Carolina.
    • HurricaneGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $1,024Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $107Expected Loss per Capita
  • 4. Louisiana
    LouisianaDowntown New Orleans, Louisiana.
    • HurricaneGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $1,128Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $249Expected Loss per Capita
  • 3. Florida
    FloridaMiami seaside, Florida
    • HurricaneGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $1,692Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $90Expected Loss per Capita
  • 2. Texas
    TexasDowntown Austin, Texas.
    • HurricaneGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $4,615Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $184Expected Loss per Capita
  • 1. California
    CaliforniaDowntown Los Angeles, California.
    • EarthquakeGreatest Potential Hazard
    • $6,820Annual Expected Losses (Millions)
    • $183Expected Loss per Capita

About the Author

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Lucia Caldera is a writer who specializes in personal finance. Her goal is to create approachable content that sparks financial wellness and unlocks growth. Lucia’s work reflects her passion for financial education as the key to reducing the wealth gap for women and minorities.