Overview

The National Risk Index is a dataset and online tool to help illustrate the United States communities most at risk for 18 natural hazards. It was designed and built by FEMA in close collaboration with various stakeholders and partners in academia; local, state and federal government; and private industry.

The National Risk Index's interactive mapping and data-based interface enables users to visually explore individual datasets to better understand what is driving a community's natural hazard risk with minimal technical expertise. Users may also create reports to capture risk details on a community or conduct community-based risk comparisons, as well as export data for analysis using other software.

Intended users of the National Risk Index include planners and emergency managers at the local, regional, state, and federal levels, as well as other decision makers and interested members of the general public. With improved understanding of natural hazard risk, communities can take action to reduce the risk specific to that community.

Specifically, the National Risk Index can help with:

• Enhancing hazard mitigation plans
• Encouraging community-level risk communication and engagement
• Supporting the development or enhancement of codes and standards
• Informing long-term community recovery
• Educating new homeowners and renters
• Prioritizing and allocating resources
• Identifying the need for more refined risk assessments
• Informing the insurance and mortgage industries
• Updating emergency operations plans

Managing Organizations

U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. The challenges posed by more intense storms, frequent heavy rain, heat waves, drought, extreme flooding, and higher sea levels could lead to increased risks from disasters faced by communities and the emergency management professionals serving them.

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