Buying a home is the biggest investment most people will ever make. Beyond price and location, disaster risk should be a key factor in your decision.
5 Essential Checks
1. FEMA Flood Zone Status
Properties in high-risk flood zones (A or V zones) require flood insurance, which can add thousands per year. Even Zone X properties can flood—25% of flood claims come from low-risk areas.
2. Seismic Hazard
Check proximity to known fault lines and the area's seismic hazard rating. In high-risk areas, ask about earthquake retrofitting and consider earthquake insurance.
3. Wildfire Risk
WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) properties face increasing wildfire risk. Check defensible space requirements and fire hardening costs.
4. Hurricane & Storm Surge Exposure
Coastal properties should be evaluated for storm surge potential, not just flood zones. Hurricane wind speeds and building code requirements vary by location.
5. Historical Disaster Events
Research past disasters in the area. Repeated flooding, earthquake damage, or wildfire exposure can indicate ongoing risk.
Check Any Address with TerraNet
TerraNet provides a comprehensive risk score that covers all of these factors in one simple report.