Natural disasters claim thousands of lives and cause billions in damage every year. Understanding your risk is the first step toward protecting your family and property.
The Four Major Disaster Risks
Earthquake Risk
Earthquakes occur along fault lines and tectonic plate boundaries. In the US, the USGS estimates that nearly half of Americans live in areas with significant seismic hazard, not just California—the New Madrid zone, Pacific Northwest, and parts of the Southeast also face substantial risk.
Tsunami Risk
Tsunamis are generated by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides. Coastal communities along the Pacific Ring of Fire face the highest risk, with wave heights potentially exceeding 30 meters in worst-case scenarios.
Flood Risk
Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States. FEMA designates flood zones (A, AE, V, VE, X) that determine insurance requirements and indicate risk levels.
Landslide Risk
Landslides, mudslides, and debris flows typically occur after heavy rainfall or earthquakes in hilly or mountainous terrain. The Cascades, Appalachians, and coastal California are particularly vulnerable.
Why Risk Scores Matter
Traditional hazard maps show one risk at a time and can be difficult to interpret. TerraNet combines multiple data sources into a single 100-point safety score for any address, making it easy to understand your overall risk at a glance.