Globally, extreme weather events—from droughts to floods to wildfires—are growing more frequent, intense, and prolonged. In the U.S., [many] are exposed to severe or extreme climate risks. The toll on communities is catastrophic: in the United States alone
However, obtaining details about the climate risks your neighborhood may face can be difficult. “Accessing that information is truly tough,” notes Melanie Gall, co-director of the Center for Emergency Management and Homeland Security at Arizona State University.
Numerous once-available resources are being phased out. The Trump Administration axed FEMA’s Future Risk Index last year, a tool that projected county-level economic losses from climate change. It also included low- and high-emissions scenarios to illustrate how climate change could affect communities nationwide. Additionally, in December, Zillow—the nation’s largest real estate listings platform—removed its climate risk rating feature from its site following complaints about inaccuracies from homeowners and real estate agents. The tool outlined a home’s potential risks from floods, wildfires, wind, extreme heat, and poor air quality.
What resources are available?
Data on a property’s risk from floods, wildfires, hurricane-force winds, extreme heat, and air pollutants is accessible via First Street, for a fee that isn’t publicly disclosed. For instance, First Street identified 94% of the properties destroyed in last year’s Eaton fire in Altadena as facing severe or extreme wildfire risk.
Research from real estate websites, however, has found that a property’s climate risk can influence its sale.
When Zillow ceased using First Street data, First Street’s CEO stated in a comment to the New York : “Our models are based on transparent, peer-reviewed science, and full methodologies are publicly accessible for anyone to review on our website,” noting that the models have been validated by major banks, federal agencies, insurers, and engineering firms.
Other real estate platforms, such as Redfin, Realtor.com, and Homes.com, still display First Street data on their listings.
As a free alternative, FEMA’s National Risk Index offers a tool that maps risks across 18 distinct hazards. (The National Risk Index focuses on current hazards, whereas the Future Risk Index tracked potential future risks for an area.) However, publicly available data can often be challenging to interpret, Gall notes. “The availability of these resources doesn’t guarantee you can extract the specific information needed for decision-making from that dataset,” she explains. “There’s no single source that everyone can actually access.”
How do you address the risks?
The optimal choice is to avoid residing in high-risk areas entirely, according to Joshua Saks, adaptation program director at the Georgetown Climate Center. But if that’s not feasible, consider ways to prepare for natural disasters. “If you opt to live in a high-risk zone, you must consider taking measures to safeguard yourself and your property,” he adds.
Once you’re aware of the risks your area faces, consider adjustments to prepare for potential damage. “Trees pose a hazard—they can fall on your roof, or if you’re at risk of flooding, you should aim to be as elevated as possible,” Gall states.
You should also develop a family disaster plan, outlining actions to take and meeting locations in case of evacuation. Compile a list of essential documents and items to bring along.
While it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your home, experts emphasize that governments need to [act], rather than shifting responsibility to individuals. “When planning for disasters, the focus should be on protecting entire communities, not just individual homes,” Saks says. “Community-level planning—such as flood regulations or risk communication—is more effective than individual, house-by-house actions.”