Natural disaster hotspots: States most likely to be hit by the forces of nature

States with the most disaster declarations

Over the last five years, all 50 U.S. states have issued at least one disaster declaration in preparation for or in response to a natural disaster event.

While small-scale weather disasters happen more frequently (for example, Hawaii averages 100 M3-level earthquakes a year^[3]), natural disaster declarations indicate where major events requiring additional aid and resources have occurred.

These five states issued the most disaster declarations from 2015–2019:

1. California: California issued a whopping 84 disaster declarations, more than three times any other state! Most of these declarations were fire-related, although California did experience an earthquake, as well as notable severe storms and winter storms during this period.
2. Washington: The Evergreen State is also a fire hotspot, issuing 30 disaster declarations related to flames. The state is also no stranger to flooding and snowstorms: it experienced three major disasters related to each.
3. Oklahoma: In the heart of tornado alley, Oklahoma was actually more likely to issue disaster declarations for fires than severe storms or tornadoes. Over a five year period, Oklahoma issued 13 fire disaster declarations but it’s worth noting that in 2019, Oklahoma set the record for the most tornadoes^[4].
4. Oregon: Like it’s fellow neighbors in the West, Oregon’s most common disaster declaration was fire-related. The state issued 19 fire disaster declarations over a five year period. There was also one severe storm and four snowstorms.
5. Texas: The first state not located in the West is the Southern state of Texas. Texas’ unique geography makes it more prone to all-hazards (and expensive home insurance), and it issued disaster declarations for six of the eight during this period: Fires, severe storms, winter storms, tropical storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

2020 on track to have the most natural disaster declarations

While COVID-19 isn’t weather-related, its impacts on our public health, economy and way of life are far-reaching and catastrophic. Already, 2020 has had more natural disaster declarations on record than the previous five years, with 154 of these disaster declarations issued in response to the current COVID-19 crisis^[2]. 2020 is also on track to be the worst year in the U.S. for natural disaster declarations on record (previously, it was 2011).

States that pay the most for disasters

Over the past five years, the U.S. has spent an estimated $536 billion on climate and weather disasters^[1]. Four of the six U.S. states that have spent the most are in the South. This is likely because hurricanes are the most expensive natural disaster: Hurricane Katrina cost the U.S. 161 billion dollars in 2005, and Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Maria followed behind in 2017, at $125 billion and $90 billion respectively^[5].

Over the last five years these states paid the most for natural disasters:

1. Texas: $100B-$200B

• Costliest disaster: Hurricane Harvey
• Hurricane deductible: $2,407*

2. California: $50B-$100B

• Costliest disaster: Camp Fire

3. Florida: $50B-$100B

• Costliest disaster: Hurricane Irma
• Hurricane deductible: $3,839

4. North Carolina: $20B-$50B

• Costliest disaster: Hurricane Harvey
• Hurricane deductible: $3,283

5. Colorado (tied): $10B-$20B

• Costliest disaster: 2018 wildfire season

6. Louisiana (tied): $10B-$20B

• Costliest disaster: Hurricane Harvey
• Hurricane deductible: $2,466

*1% Hurricane Deductible Cost/Year
Source: The Zebra^[6]

Scientists have long warned that the effects of climate change will make storms stronger and damage more widespread. A recent survey by The Zebra found that 65.1% of U.S. homeowners and renters also believe that climate change is causing worse storms where they live^[7].

Most common types of natural disasters

Using data from FEMA, we took a look at natural disaster trends over the past five years from 2015-2019. Here are the most common types of major disasters in the U.S.

While FEMA has consistently ranked flooding as the most common natural disaster, fires have been the most frequent disaster declaration declared over the past five years. In 2018, the Camp Fire in California became the most deadly and destructive in the state’s history. It was also the costliest disaster that year, with an estimated $8.5 billion to $10.5 billion in insured losses.

How natural disasters impact your home insurance

Home damage sustained from natural disasters won’t necessarily be covered by a standard home insurance policy. Flooding, earthquakes, sinkholes and mudslides or landslides will all go uncovered by standard policies. If you live in an at-risk area for these disasters, you can and may even be required to purchase separate insurance, such as flood insurance or earthquake coverage.

So what does home insurance cover when it comes to weather? Here’s what will be covered by a bare-bones HO-2 policy:

Even when damage is covered, remember that home insurers take your area’s risk into consideration when pricing out coverage. Florida has the highest hurricane deductible due to its increased risk, followed by Louisiana and Texas.

Since insurers calculate rates down to the ZIP code, you’ll get a better idea of coverage costs when you look at city data rather than just state averages—and you’ll get the best home insurance rate using our comparison tool.

Below, we list the cheapest city in each state for home insurance. Insurers consider these cities less risky than others in the state to insure, factoring in natural disasters and weather-related occurrences along with the number of claims filed nearby.

1. Honolulu, Hawaii | $425
2. Pike Creek, Delaware | $681
3. Winooski, Vermont | $682
4. Lancaster, Pennsylvania | $685
5. Tualatin, Oregon | $697
6. Oxnard, California | $722
7. Clearfield, Utah | $735
8. Washington, D.C. | $768
9. Arlington, Virginia | $777
10. Milford, New Hampshire | $782