National Risk Index - County-level Hazards
By exploring hazards in the National Risk Index interactive map, students find patterns of vulnerable areas, and through a deeper dive, get detailed information on their local risks compared to other counties in the U.S.
Context for Use
In this short activity, students will strengthen their critical thinking skills by carefully observing the data, forming ideas, and backing them up with evidence.
While these maps do relate to weather, climate, ice, and albedo the real goal of this activity is to help students slow down, look closely, ask better questions, and support their ideas with strong evidence. However, if you’re teaching a unit on local hazards, wildfire, flooding, or coastal vulnerability this could be a great addition to your lessons!

The National Risk Index Map demonstrates natural hazard risk data across the United States by county.
Goals Header
What Students Will Do
- Students will strengthen their critical thinking skills by carefully observing the data, forming ideas, and backing them up with evidence.
Teaching Materials
Description
Time required: 10-20 minutes