H
urricane Helene has left a trail of devastation, with over 215 fatalities and thousands still missing. The storm's impact is felt from Florida to Virginia, with around 730,000 homes remaining without power more than a week after it hit. This disaster is just one of many extreme weather events that have plagued the US this year, causing over $25 billion in damage nationwide.

    Climate change has contributed to an increase in floods worldwide by 20% since 2000 and has led to more intense hurricanes and wildfires. The near-constant threat of natural disasters has put homeowners on edge, driving up home insurance premiums. In some areas, such as hurricane-prone Florida, homeowners are opting out of insurance altogether due to rising costs.

    Each region faces unique risks, with the West vulnerable to wildfires, the Southeast prone to floods, and the South experiencing extreme heat that can warp wood and melt roofs. Homeowners in these regions may struggle to recover from disasters like Hurricane Helene, only to find their insurance policies inadequate for repairs and rebuilding.

    According to Realtor.com economist Jiayi Xu, hurricanes present substantial challenges for homeowners, including property damage, financial costs, community recovery issues, and emotional stress. To help prospective buyers assess climate-related risks, Realtor.com offers environmental risk scores that evaluate hazards like floods, extreme heat, and wildfires.

    Using First Street Foundation's wind factor scores to determine hurricane risk and corresponding flood risk, Realtor.com ranked states based on the share of homes at low risk versus high-risk areas. The top five states with the lowest extreme-weather risk levels are:

    Nevada: 90.6% of homes at low risk, total property values at $440.4 billion

    Nebraska: 90.2% of homes at low risk, total property values at $159 billion

    Colorado: 89.5% of homes at low risk, total property values at $1,062.6 billion

    Kansas: 88.8% of homes at low risk, total property values at $209.3 billion

    Minnesota: 88.5% of homes at low risk, total property values at $588.5 billion