HomeRiskIQ guide
Top storm-exposed U.S. cities (updated monthly)
A data-driven list of cities with the highest combined hazard exposure.
How the ranking works
Cities are ranked by composite hazard exposure from flood, wind, surge, lightning, tornado, and hail datasets.
Only cities with complete baseline coverage are included in the list.
What makes a city rank higher
High exposure in multiple hazards lifts cities to the top. A single extreme hazard can also push a city upward.
Coastal metros often score higher due to the combined effect of surge, wind, and rainfall exposure.
Why the list changes monthly
As datasets update and scoring normalization shifts, city rankings can change.
Monthly updates keep the ranking aligned with the latest hazard ingest.
Why smaller metros can rank high
Smaller metros with intense exposure in one or two hazards can rise above larger cities with more moderate exposure.
This list is about exposure intensity, not population size.
How to use the list
Treat the list as a starting point for deeper local analysis.
- Click into the city page for local drivers and live alerts.
- Compare neighboring cities for relative exposure differences.
- Use the hazard breakdown to understand what drives the ranking.
Key takeaways
- - The ranking is composite, not single-hazard.
- - Updates follow hazard ingest cadence.
- - Smaller metros can rank higher if exposure intensity is extreme.
- - Use city pages for local context.