Los Angeles County has been named the most dangerous area in the United States for natural disasters according to new data and a federal risk assessment by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This conclusion is based on FEMA’s analysis of 3,000 counties across the United States, evaluating their susceptibility to 18 different categories of natural disasters. These disasters include earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, volcanoes, tsunamis, wildfires, and more.
The assessment tool used by FEMA is known as the National Risk Index. This online tool rates counties not only based on the likelihood of facing various natural disasters but also considers the potential economic devastation that would result from such events. Notably, this index does not represent how frequently residents encounter any given disaster. Instead, it focuses on the possible impact and economic damage of such disasters.
A key factor that increases a county’s risk value in the National Risk Index is its socioeconomic status and the ability to recover from a disaster. Population-dense cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia score high on the index. These urban areas are less prepared for natural disasters, contain expensive infrastructure, and are home to more citizens living in poverty who may not have the resources to recover quickly from devastation.
Interestingly, while Los Angeles County has high risk ratings for heat, drought, and wildfire, the FEMA assessment also reveals some counterintuitive findings. For example, urban counties in Pennsylvania, New York, or New Jersey are ranked as riskier for tornadoes than some rural counties in states typically associated with tornadoes, like Oklahoma. This is because recovery from destruction in these urban areas would be more challenging than in rural counties.
The intention behind FEMA’s risk rankings is to empower communities to be more resilient, help update emergency operations, educate homeowners, and inform about the recovery process from disasters. These rankings are the result of calculations by 80 experts over six years, aiming to provide a comprehensive view of the risks and help communities prepare accordingly.
In conclusion, Los Angeles County’s designation as the most dangerous area in the U.S. for natural disasters highlights the complex interplay of geographical risks, socioeconomic factors, and preparedness. The FEMA assessment serves as a critical tool for understanding and mitigating these risks.