Visit Inspect2Protect.org and determine if your community uses current model building codes. The site will also provide you with a disaster history for the area and a list of suggested renovations, retrofits, and upgrades that can make your home safer and stronger. You can also contact the local community building, planning, or zoning department to determine the codes used and ask the questions outlined below.

Hurricane: Is the home in a hurricane-prone area, windborne debris region, or storm surge evacuation zone?

• Does your state or local government require disclosure of hazards and past damages by either the owner or realtor?
• Are there any city/county/jurisdiction planning projects that could affect the resilience of the area?

Flood: Is the home in a flood zone? If so, what type? Has the neighborhood experienced flooding? Repetitive flooding? See FEMA Flood Service Maps.

• Does your state or local government require disclosure of hazards and past damages by either the owner or realtor?
• Are there any city/county/jurisdiction planning projects that could affect the resilience of the area?

Wildfire: What is the wildfire history in the area? Frequency? See Wildfire Risk to Communities.

• Does your state or local government require disclosure of hazards and past damages by either the owner or realtor?
• Are there any city/county/jurisdiction planning projects that could affect the resilience of the area?

Earthquake: What is the earthquake potential/history of the area? Check the fault rupture, landslide, liquefaction, seismic, and tsunami inundation maps. See USGS Earthquake Hazards.

• Does your state or local government require disclosure of hazards and past damages by either the owner or realtor?
• Are there any city/county/jurisdiction planning projects that could affect the resilience of the area?

Tornado: Are there frequent tornadoes?

• Does your state or local government require disclosure of hazards and past damages by either the owner or realtor?
• Are there any city/county/jurisdiction planning projects that could affect the resilience of the area?

These additional questions can help you develop a disaster risk profile for your new home:

• Is the home sited well on the lot? For example, if the home is in a flood-prone area, does it sit at a higher elevation compared to surrounding properties?
• If the neighborhood has experienced a disaster, how did the neighboring homes fare?
• Does the HOA have any programs that boost neighborhood disaster resilience? For example, are there community wildfire mitigation days when volunteers clean up common areas to reduce debris and fuels?