Learn the risk
Practical guides powered by real hazard data.
These guides explain how to read hazard layers and apply them to your home decisions. Each guide links back to local risk pages and tools.
10 min read
Updated 2025-12-22Flood zones 101: how to read FEMA maps
Understand FEMA flood zones, base flood elevation, and what the maps actually mean for your home.
9 min read
Updated 2025-12-22Wind speed and roof damage: what 60-120 mph means
Translate wind speeds into roof risk, from shingle loss to structural damage.
8 min read
Updated 2025-12-22Storm surge vs flooding: what is the difference
Surge is ocean-driven and fast. Rain flooding is drainage-driven and persistent. Plan for both.
9 min read
Updated 2025-12-22Lightning risk by region: why Florida tops the charts
Lightning is highly regional. Learn why some metros see far more strikes and what it means for your home.
9 min read
Updated 2025-12-22Tornado Alley is not a line: modern outbreak corridors
Outbreak patterns shift east and south. Use recent climatology and outlooks to understand your exposure.
8 min read
Updated 2025-12-22Hail size and roof damage: what insurers care about
Hail impacts are driven by size, speed, and roof condition. Learn the thresholds that cause the most claims.
9 min read
Updated 2025-12-22How the HomeRiskIQ score is calculated
A transparent breakdown of hazard inputs, normalization, and how composite risk is assembled.
7 min read
Updated 2025-12-22Top storm-exposed U.S. cities (updated monthly)
A data-driven list of cities with the highest combined hazard exposure.
8 min read
Updated 2025-12-22Hurricane risk inland: how far it really reaches
Wind and rain hazards extend well beyond the coast. Surge does not.
9 min read
Updated 2025-12-22Insurance readiness checklist for high-risk zones
Use this checklist to review coverage, documentation, and mitigation before the next storm.
8 min read
Updated 2025-12-22Emergency prep essentials: a 30-minute home checklist
Build a storm-ready kit, contacts, and quick actions you can finish in under an hour.