Worried About the Weather? These Are the U.S. Cities Safest From Natural Disasters

When considering a move, our geographical commitments are often tied to something emotional — proximity to family and culture are huge factors, for instance. But these decisions can also be data-driven: Information like the best (or worst) ranked cities for retirement or the cities with the highest salaries in the U.S. can help us choose where to apply for jobs or settle down. If you’re considering relocating or buying property anywhere in the United States (or the world, really), there’s one major factor you should never discount: Natural disasters.

After an eventful last few summers filled with wildfires (and subsequent haze), ongoing hurricanes, torrential flooding, and overwhelming heat, it’s safe to say that safety and comfort are key to living happily. 

Luckily for us, the home service professionals at Gutter Gnome recently ranked a list of the cities safest from natural disasters. They compared the “500 biggest U.S. cities across five categories: hazards risk, vulnerable populations, vulnerable infrastructure, response and recovery, and mobility.” They consulted FEMA’s National Risk Index to delineate what counts as a natural disaster (the list includes wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and 13 more types of disasters).

To share this wealth of knowledge, we’ve listed the top 10 least and most vulnerable cities. Keep in mind that the most vulnerable cities aren’t necessarily bad places to live; if you’ve got your heart set on setting down roots in South Gate, CA, this list shouldn’t stop you. You might, however, want to put together a disaster preparedness plan.

Safest Cities from Natural Disasters

Riskiest Cities for Natural Disasters