FEMA risk ratings explained

What do the FEMA rating categories mean?

The hazard labels are Very Low, Relatively Low, Relatively Moderate, Relatively High and Very High. These ordered categories compare communities across all 3,232 U.S. counties. Keep each label’s hazard, geographic level and source release in your working file.

These pages display the original FEMA rating fields, not a new Climate Atlas composite score. For the underlying rating methodology, consult the FEMA National Risk Index technical documentation.

How do dollar losses compare across counties?

Labels show relative national rank. Modeled Expected Annual Loss (EAL) estimates natural-hazard losses in dollars per year. The table also shows the Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI) and Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) scores:

The Very High riverine flood category covers both $1.12B/yr in Harris and $2.81B/yr in Los Angeles. Inspect economic scale comparisons for exact figures.

What do the hurricane labels show?

Record “county hurricane context” beside the label and list the location question. Building elevation, wind mitigation ratings and flood mapping need separate site evidence. Do not accept or reject properties automatically from this sample.

What do non-rating statuses mean?

Not Applicable, No Rating and Insufficient Data sit outside the five ordered categories. Blank and missing fields also stay distinct. Never substitute zero or Very Low.

Check field documentation for the cause of a status. Until then, keep the status and record the unanswered question. Consult the field and source notes when interpreting an unfamiliar status.

Which fields should I compare?

1. Choose one hazard and the same geographic level.
2. Check that the records use the same source release and field.
3. Read each original label, including non-rating statuses.
4. Keep location findings in separate columns from county context.
5. List the next evidence needed rather than inventing a combined safety score.

A shared category does not establish equal flood probability, exposure or expected property loss. Category labels lack the inputs for that comparison.

What should I check after reading a rating?

For property flood-zone questions, use the risk index versus flood zone guide. Record unresolved questions in the portfolio checklist and CSV template, or inspect the example report.

What does Relatively High mean for a county?

Relatively High is an ordered FEMA category describing the named county and hazard. It is above Relatively Moderate and below Very High in the category sequence. Keep the full label in the evidence table rather than abbreviating it to High, which can obscure the source terminology. Read the field definition before interpreting what was ranked.

A county label helps frame a screening question, but it does not identify which buildings drive the result. Pair the category with the corresponding hazard loss field and keep exposure in view. The examples below select hazards rated Relatively High and retain the county identifiers with the original labels.

Is Very High a probability?

Very High is a category, not the probability that a particular building will be damaged. Do not turn it into a percentage or use it as a substitute for a property flood-zone determination. An elevated relative category can justify further research without supporting a numerical claim about the next event.

A sound screening statement names the hazard, county, original label and source release. A follow-up statement names the evidence still needed. Keep the follow-up actionable: name the map check or other evidence needed.

How do hazard ratings differ across the sample counties?

Total county expected annual loss is $7,601,846,373 per year.

Total county expected annual loss is $221,992,551 per year.

Total county expected annual loss is $824,686,737 per year.

Total county expected annual loss is $2,217,702,383 per year.

Total county expected annual loss is $40,136,955 per year.

Which decisions require additional evidence?

Category order does not define equal intervals. Compare labels for the same hazard and release, and inspect the corresponding dollar loss and exposure fields separately. A change in wording between releases needs a definition check before it is described as a change in risk. Retain the original label when preparing a summary for another reviewer.

How should I cite the evidence and review date?

Last reviewed: 2026-10-23. Source: FEMA, FEMA National Risk Index. The county sample supplies the worked values. Keep the release and field notes from the methodology with exported figures. The review date records when this guide was reviewed; the underlying observations have their own periods.