What does this tornado risk ranking show?

It orders states by Tornado risk. It is a comparison of this one published measure, not an overall ranking of where to live.

Where do these figures come from?

FEMA National Risk Index supplies this measure. States without a comparable published value are shown as not ranked rather than estimated.

How should I use this ranking?

Use it to narrow a search, then open a state or county profile for the underlying figures, source dates and caveats. A statewide number may not describe every neighbourhood.

Rankings · Risk

The states with the least tornado risk

Tornado risk.

FEMA National Risk Index percentile, 0-100. Highest through the central plains; near zero on the west coast and in Alaska.

How to read this ranking

Alaska has the lowest published tornado risk in this comparison, at 0.6. The next states shown are Nevada (9.2) and Montana (13.6).

The table orders 51 states by tornado risk. It describes one published measure, not an overall judgment about where to live.

Use the result as a starting point, then compare the underlying source, dates, and local county figures before making a decision. FEMA National Risk Index percentile, 0-100. Highest through the central plains; near zero on the west coast and in Alaska.

1Alaska0.6
2Nevada9.2
3Montana13.6
4Idaho17.0
5Vermont22.6
6Hawaii24.8
7Maine25.4
8West Virginia26.5
9Oregon27.7
10New Mexico32.7
11Wyoming36.6
12Washington41.1
13Utah44.9
14Virginia49.4
15Rhode Island58.7
16New Hampshire59.5
17North Dakota60.7
18Arizona62.2
19California64.6
20South Dakota65.9
21Connecticut69.9
22Maryland70.2
23Massachusetts74.5
24Pennsylvania74.6
25Kentucky75.4
26New Jersey78.1
27Delaware78.3
28Iowa78.9
29New York79.2
30Louisiana80.8
31Minnesota80.8
32Georgia81.1
33Ohio81.9
34Colorado82.0
35Nebraska82.0
36Wisconsin83.5
37North Carolina83.7
38Tennessee83.7
39South Carolina83.8
40Mississippi84.2
41Indiana84.4
42Arkansas84.6
43Kansas84.9
44Missouri85.5
45Michigan86.5
46Alabama90.3
47District of Columbia90.4
48Oklahoma90.4
49Texas91.4
50Florida92.0
51Illinois92.5

Related risk rankings

Use this in a move shortlist

These guides combine this measure with other clearly named inputs; they are not overall state verdicts.

States to consider for lower climate-risk exposure →

Frequently asked questions

What does this ranking show?: It orders states by Tornado risk. It is one measure, not an overall verdict on where to live.
Where do the figures come from?: FEMA National Risk Index. States without a comparable published figure are listed as not ranked rather than estimated.
How should I use it?: Use it to narrow your search, then open a state or county profile for the source date, caveats and local context.

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<iframe src="https://movermath.com/embed/tornado-risk" width="100%" height="420" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Tornado risk by state"></iframe>

Source: FEMA National Risk Index. · How this is built

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