US Counties Most Vulnerable to Extreme Winter Weather in 2024

In a comparison of more than 440 U.S. counties with relatively high and very high risk of extreme winter weather, according to FEMA, home services website HVAC Gnome looked at the average historical winter temperature and expected annual financial loss from severe winter weather, among seven metrics, to come up with its ranked list of 2024’s Most Vulnerable Counties for Extreme Winter Weather.

Topping the list are Midwestern counties including Johnson County, Kan., in the No. 1 spot, followed by Cook County, Ill., and St. Louis County, Mo., in second and third places, respectively. These locations are highly vulnerable to severe winter weather, ice storms, and cold waves, with Johnson County bearing the highest expected financial loss from winter weather (more than $10 million) and Cook County facing an estimated annual loss of more than $68 million.

Southern states like Tennessee, Kentucky, and South Carolina land in the less vulnerable half of our ranking thanks to lower chances of extreme winter weather and less costly estimated financial losses.

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