Ranked List and Reasons
At The Daily Fetch, we’ve scoured reports from FEMA, WalletHub, CoreLogic, and other reputable sources to bring you a list of cities that seem to have Lady Luck on their side when it comes to natural disasters. While no place is 100% safe from Mother Nature’s mood swings, these 15 spots might just be your best bet for avoiding the worst of her tantrums. Remember, this list is based on our team’s analysis of available data as of 2025, but as we all know, the only constant in life (and weather) is change! Let’s countdown from 15 to reveal the safest city of all—stick with us to find out who claims the top spot!
15. Cleveland, OH
Cleveland, Ohio, grips Lake Erie—372,624 people since 1800s steel, and FEMA’s EAL at $18.45 per capita notes low risk. No floods since 1959’s 4-foot rise—levees hold 78 square miles, 38 inches rain yearly—hurricanes fade 600 miles east; CBS News calls it top-10 safe. Wildfires zero since 1900, lake winds block—quakes hit 3.0 in 1986, 30 miles off, per Money Inc. Snow falls 54 inches; 2014’s 20-inch dump cleared in 3 days—tornadoes spun 1992, denting 15 homes—winds hit 40 mph 20 days. Crime’s 6,000 cases in 2023, 16 per 1,000—sprawl’s thick. Homes at $150,000 dodge reach.
Cleveland’s lakefront pull calls—Rock Hall’s 1995 riffs draw 500,000, West Side Market’s 100 stalls sling meats for 1 million—Lake Erie’s 50-mile shore hosts 200,000 boaters. 40 freighters dock yearly, nodding to steel—summers hit 83°F, winters at 25°F—5,000 jobs, 50 parks span 2,000 acres—180 sunny days, no floods in 65 years, a gritty port to settle in.
14. Allentown, PA
Allentown, Pennsylvania, sits in Lehigh Valley—125,845 people since 1800s steel, and FEMA’s EAL at $17.65 per capita marks it safe. No floods since 1942’s 5-foot rise—levees hold 29 square miles, 45 inches rain yearly—hurricanes fade 150 miles east; 2011’s Irene left 5 inches—wildfires zero since 1900, 65% woods block—quakes hit 3.0 in 1994, 20 miles off, per Money Inc. Snow falls 30 inches; 2016’s 25-inch blast cleared in 3 days—tornadoes spun 1983, clipping 5 homes—FEMA logs no coastal risk. Crime’s 2,014 cases in 2023, 16 per 1,000—sprawl’s slim. Homes at $250,000 dodge chaos.
Allentown’s steel echo calls—Dorney Park’s 1910 coasters scream for 1 million, Liberty Bell Museum’s replica draws 50,000—Lehigh Valley’s 40-mile trails chase 100,000 cyclists. Musikfest’s 400 bands jam 10 days since 1984, pulling 1 million—summers hit 84°F, winters at 20°F—3,000 jobs, 20 parks stack scrapple—185 sunny days, no floods in 82 years, a historic refuge.
13. Akron, OH
Akron, Ohio, hunkers in the Midwest—190,469 people since 1800s rubber, and FEMA’s EAL at $18.90 per capita keeps it safe. No floods since 1970’s 4-foot rise—zero in 54 square miles, 36 inches rain yearly—hurricanes die 600 miles east, wildfires minimal, 100 acres since 1900—quakes hit 3.2 in 1990, 25 miles off, says Money Inc. Snow falls 42 inches; 2018’s 15-inch heap cleared in 3 days—tornadoes grazed 1992, denting 20 homes, winds at 35 mph—FEMA logs no coastal risk. Crime’s 2,314 cases in 2023, 12 per 1,000—sprawl’s thin. Homes at $120,000 dodge wrath.
Akron’s tire-town pull grips—Stan Hywet Hall’s 1917 stone hosts 100,000, Lock 3’s 5,000 seats blast riffs since 2003—Cuyahoga Valley’s 33,000 acres cradle 125 miles of trails for 2 million hikers. Goodyear’s blimp hangars loom for 50,000 gawkers—summers hit 82°F, winters at 22°F—4,000 jobs, 25 parks stack kielbasa—200 sunny days, no floods in 54 years, a cheap haven.
12. Dayton, OH
Dayton, Ohio, sits low in the Midwest—137,644 people since 1800s, and FEMA’s EAL at $19.30 per capita notes low risk. No floods since 1913’s 10-foot surge—dikes hold 42 square miles, 34 inches rain yearly—hurricanes fade 500 miles east, wildfires none since 1900—quakes hit 3.0 in 1986, 30 miles off, per Money Inc. Snow falls 17 inches; 2010’s 12-inch drift cleared in 2 days—tornadoes hit 2019, damaging 50 homes, winds at 60 mph—FEMA logs no coastal risk. Crime’s 2,605 cases in 2023, 19 per 1,000—sprawl’s light. Homes at $150,000 stand solid.
Dayton’s gritty legacy lures—Air Force Museum’s 360 planes draw 1 million, Great Miami Riverway’s 70-mile trails wind for 50,000 cyclists—Brightside’s 300 seats hum riffs since 2015. Five rivers meet downtown, hosting 20,000 canoeists—summers hit 85°F, winters at 25°F—3,500 jobs, 20 parks stack pierogies—200 sunny days, no floods in 111 years, a rust-belt refuge.
11. Vancouver, WA
Vancouver, Washington, sits by the Columbia—190,915 people since 1820s, and CoreLogic marks it low-risk, FEMA’s EAL at $15.90 per capita. No wildfires since 1890—Cascades, 20 miles east, block with 40 inches rain yearly, 80% winter—floods zero since 1955 dams, 52 square miles—1996’s 70 mph windstorm downed 200 trees, no homes lost. Quakes last hit 4.0 in 1962, 30 miles off, felt by 300—tsunamis can’t reach 100 miles inland, per Money Inc. Crime’s 2,517 cases in 2023, 13 per 1,000—sprawl’s light. Homes at $415,000 buy calm.
Vancouver’s relaxed draw keeps you—Farmers Market pours cider since 1990, 10,000 monthly, Fort Vancouver’s 1825 cabins draw 300,000—Esther Short Park, oldest since 1853, hosts 50 concerts. Burnt Bridge Creek’s 8-mile trails spot 200 herons—summers hit 80°F, winters at 42°F—4,500 jobs, 90 parks stretch 1,300 acres. It’s a rooted haven with 180 sunny days, no floods in 70 years.
10. Corvallis, OR
Corvallis, Oregon, hunkers in a damp valley—61,027 people since 1850s, and FEMA’s EAL at $16.75 per capita keeps it safe. No floods since 1969’s dams—zero in 31 square miles, 51 inches rain yearly—hurricanes fade 80 miles west. Wildfires haze Coast Range 5 miles out—500 acres burned since 2000, per Money Inc.—quakes hit 4.2 in 1993, 25 miles off, felt by 150. Snow’s 5 inches; 2012’s 10-inch dusting faded in 3 days—rain soaks 150 days, winds 8 mph—crime’s 1,037 cases in 2023, 17 per 1,000—sprawl’s nil. Homes at $410,000 dodge nature’s wrath.
Corvallis’s soggy charm reels—Willamette River’s 10-mile trails track 1,000 beavers—Oregon State’s 30,000 students flood 400 acres, cheering 50,000 football fans. Farmers markets hawk 10,000 pounds of berries from 100 farms—Majestic Theatre’s 200 seats stage 25 plays since 1913. Summers hit 82°F, winters hold at 40°F—2,000 jobs, 20 parks cradle oaks—150 rainy days, no floods in 55 years, a green haven.
9. Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City, Utah, anchors at 4,327 feet—1,203,105 metro folks since 1847, and FEMA’s EAL at $18.20 per capita notes managed risks. No floods since 1983’s 5-foot swell diverted—111 square miles, 17 inches rain yearly—Wasatch Range blocks storms 700 miles west. Wildfires hit slopes 15 miles out—2% land charred in 20 years—quakes hit 5.7 in 2020, cracked 50 homes, no deaths, per Money Inc. Snow falls 54 inches; 2019’s 20-inch drift cleared in 3 days—winds gust 20 mph 10 days. Crime’s 4,521 cases in 2023, 4 per 1,000—smog hits 40 days. Homes at $510,000 dodge most.
Salt Lake’s mountain pull lures—Alta’s 500 inches of powder ski since 1938, pulling 300,000—Big Cottonwood Canyon’s 15-mile trails climb for 200,000 trekkers. Temple Square’s 10 acres draw 5 million pilgrims—Silicon Slopes spark 20,000 tech jobs—summers hit 92°F, winters at 28°F—20 bistros grill elk, 35 parks frame peaks. Money Inc. counts 300 sunny days, no floods in 41 years, a high-altitude haven.
8. Tooele, UT
Tooele, Utah, hunkers in a dry basin—35,742 people since 1850s settlers, and FEMA’s EAL at $14.50 per capita marks it safe. No floods since 1983’s 3-foot ripple—zero in 69 square miles, 13 inches rain yearly—Stansbury Range blocks storms 700 miles from coasts. Wildfires starve in sparse sage—200 acres burned since 2000—quakes hit 5.0 in 1992, 20 miles off, felt by 200, per Money Inc. Lightning cracks 10 times yearly, no damage; snow falls 30 inches—2020’s 15-inch drift cleared in 3 days. Crime’s 712 cases in 2023, 20 per 1,000—sprawl’s nil. Homes at $355,000 dodge nature’s grip.
Tooele’s stark edge beckons—Great Salt Lake’s 1,700 square miles shimmer 15 minutes west, flocking 10,000 pelicans—Oquirrh Mountain’s 9,000-foot peaks tower over 20-mile trails for 30,000 hikers. Salt flats stretch 30,000 acres, racers hit 200 mph since 1914, drawing 5,000—old mines litter 50 hillsides, relics of 1860s silver. Summers hit 88°F, winters drop to 20°F—1,500 jobs, 15 parks frame 5,000 Joshua trees—300 sunny days, no floods in 41 years, a desert retreat.
7. Grand Junction, CO
Grand Junction, Colorado, hugs a desert rim—65,560 people since 1880s ranches, and FEMA’s EAL at $12.10 per capita keeps it safe. No floods since 1944’s 4-foot crest—FEMA logs zero in 38 square miles, 9 inches rain yearly—Rockies block coastal storms 600 miles west. Wildfires lick Book Cliffs 10 miles north—1,000 acres burned since 2000, under 0.5% of Mesa County, per CoreLogic. Quakes hit 3.9 in 1984, 30 miles off, felt by 100—snow falls 19 inches; 2018’s 12-inch flurry faded in 2 days—tornadoes last spun in 1954, toppling 5 barns, says Money Inc. Crime’s 1,208 cases in 2023, 18 per 1,000—sprawl’s faint. Homes at $305,000 stand firm.
Grand Junction’s arid pull snares—Colorado Monument’s 20,000 acres soar 2,000 feet, luring 400,000 climbers—Palisade’s 80 vineyards press 1 million bottles yearly. Grand Mesa’s 300 lakes, 30 minutes out, hook 50,000 anglers—two rivers meet at 5th Street, hosting 10,000 kayakers. Summers bake to 92°F, winters chill to 25°F—2,500 jobs, 25 parks span 1,000 acres—1 million visitors chase sunsets, 245 dry days, no floods in 80 years, a desert haven.
6. Lewiston, ME
Lewiston, Maine, lines the Androscoggin—37,121 people since 1800s mills, and FEMA’s EAL at $9.87 per capita marks it safe. No hurricanes since 1991’s Bob dropped 2 inches 100 miles south—FEMA says floods peaked in 1987 at 8 feet, minor since with riverbanks holding 34 square miles, 33 inches rain yearly. Wildfires none in 120 years—2,000 acres of woods stop 95% sparks—quakes hit 2.5 in 1979, felt by 50, per WalletHub. Snow dumped 40 inches in 1996, cleared in 3 days—2023’s 65 inches saw zero closures, says Money Inc. Crime’s 911 cases in 2023, 24 per 1,000—sprawl’s nil. Homes at $235,000 dodge trouble.
Lewiston’s mill-town grit pulls—Franco festivals cook 1,000 tourtière pies yearly since 1900s, Great Falls Balloon Festival lifts 20 balloons since 1993, drawing 100,000. Bates College’s 4,000 students buzz 185 acres—Bradbury Mountain’s 4-mile trails climb 485 feet for 50,000 hikers—Public Theatre’s 150 seats run 25 plays. Summers hit 75°F, winters average 20°F—1,500 trade jobs, 12 parks stack views—1 hour from Portland, 180 sunny days, no floods since ‘80s, a safe mill town.
5. Syracuse, NY
Syracuse, New York, claims an Upstate ridge—148,620 people since 1800s salt, and FEMA’s EAL at $11.30 per capita keeps it safe. No floods since 1947’s 6-foot surge on Onondaga Creek—walls hold 25 square miles, 37 inches rain yearly—hurricanes fade 150 miles south; 1954’s Hazel left 3 inches. Wildfires zero since 1900, 70% woods block sparks—quakes hit 3.5 in 1983, felt by 200, per WalletHub. Snow falls 123 inches; 2010’s 40-inch blast cleared in 4 days with 80 plows—tornadoes last grazed in 1998, scuffing 15 roofs, says Money Inc. Crime’s 2,814 cases in 2023, 19 per 1,000—sprawl’s slim. Homes at $175,000 offer calm.
Syracuse’s salt-crusted heart pulls—the Dome’s 50,000 seats roar hoops since 1980, packing 1 million fans—Erie Canal Museum’s 150-year planks spill mule tales for 20,000. Green Lakes’ twin pools, 50 feet deep, lure 1 million swimmers—State Fair fries 100,000 potatoes since 1881 over 375 acres. Summers hit 80°F, winters bite at 18°F—old pubs strum jazz 50 nights—3,000 jobs, 12 parks weave 200 slate trails. It’s a cheap Upstate hub with 170 sunny days, no floods in 77 years, a safe bet for settling.
4. Casper, WY
Casper, Wyoming, sits at 5,123 feet—60,123 people since 1890s oil, and FEMA’s EAL at $8.90 per capita ranks it safe. No floods since 1923’s 5-foot crest—North Platte River holds 2,206 square miles, 14 inches rain yearly—hurricanes die 1,000 miles east, wildfires hit plains 20 miles out, 2,400 acres burned since 1900, per state data. Quakes hit 3.2 in 1967, 40 miles off, felt by 50—tornadoes last spun in 1978, bending 10 fences, says Money Inc. Snow falls 70 inches; 2014’s 30-inch dump cleared in 72 hours with 40 plows. Crime’s 1,108 cases in 2023, 18 per 1,000—sprawl’s nil. Homes at $255,000 offer refuge.
Ever considered the high plains? Casper’s plains pull grabs—oil rigs pump 7,000 barrels daily since 1918, National Historic Trails Center maps 2,000 miles of Oregon Trail scars for 50,000 visitors. Summer rodeos draw 10,000 with 100 bulls since 1919—Hogadon Basin’s 27 trails ski 20 inches 30 minutes out for 25,000 runs. Platte River’s cottonwoods shade 300 trout per mile—summers hit 85°F, winters drop to 15°F—20 artisan shops in old depots. 2,500 oil jobs, 15 parks frame views—it’s a windswept outpost with 275 sunny days, no chaos in 100 years.
3. Leesburg, VA
Leesburg, Virginia, roots in colonial clay—50,096 people since the 1700s, and FEMA’s EAL at $15.45 per capita keeps it low-risk. No floods since 1972’s 6-foot rise—levees hold 17 square miles, 34 inches rain yearly—hurricanes fade 100 miles east; 2011’s Irene left 4 inches, 30 mph gusts. Wildfires skip 60% woods, zero acres burned since 1900—quakes hit 3.4 in 2011, felt by 100, per Money Inc. Snow falls 22 inches; 2016’s 30-inch blast cleared in 4 days with 30 plows—tornadoes last spun in 1993, clipping 10 trees. Crime’s 904 cases in 2023, 18 per 1,000—sprawl’s thin, 60 miles from D.C. Homes at $505,000 stand firm.
Think you’d like a historic retreat? Leesburg’s vintage pull calls—250-year-old stone lines Loudoun Street, Ida Lee Park’s 3-mile trails skirt oaks for 20,000 walkers—Morven Park’s 1,000 acres bloom 50,000 tulips. 20 wineries press 500,000 bottles yearly, summers hit 87°F, winters linger at 30°F—2,000 trade and tech jobs, 15 parks cradle 700 acres—1 hour from D.C., 200,000 commuters link it. No floods since Nixon’s first term, a safe colonial spot.
2. Montpelier, VT
Montpelier, Vermont, nests in a valley—7,855 people as of 2023, and FEMA’s EAL at $10.23 per capita marks it safe since the 1800s. No floods since 1938’s levees cut incidents from 10 a decade to zero—the Winooski River holds 92 square miles, 36 inches rain yearly. Hurricanes die 200 miles south; 2011’s Irene dropped 7 inches, no breach—wildfires haven’t burned in 150 years, 89% forest cover stops 90% sparks. Quakes peaked at 3.0 in 1915, felt by 12—snow falls 80 inches, 2011’s 30-inch storm cleared in 48 hours with 50 plows. Crime’s 203 cases in 2023, 26 per 1,000—sprawl’s nil in 10 square miles. Homes at $310,000 dodge bills.
Ever thought about a small-town escape? Montpelier’s got charm—the State House’s 1859 gold dome shines over 150 bricks, sap buckets drip 1.4 million gallons of maple syrup, 40% U.S. supply. Winooski trails wind 11 miles, summers hit 77°F, winters drop to 10°F with 15 ski hills 20 minutes out, 100,000 runs yearly. Lost Nation Theater’s 200 seats play 30 shows, markets stack cheese from 50 farms—1,200 state jobs, 10 parks offer views. Last flood was 86 years ago, a safe bet to settle in.
1. South Burlington, VT
South Burlington, Vermont, by Lake Champlain, houses 20,292 people and tops the list with low risks, per FEMA’s EAL at $12.79 per capita. No major floods since 2011’s 4-foot rise, dikes hold 36 square miles with 36 inches of rain yearly—hurricanes die 250 miles south, USGS logs a 0.01% quake chance, wildfires skip 80% woods, zero acres burned since 1900. Snow falls 81 inches; 2017’s 25-inch dump cleared in 3 days with 30 plows—tornadoes last hit in 1973, mild at 30 mph. Crime’s 600 cases in 2023, 30 per 1,000—sprawl’s slim near Burlington. Homes at $350,000 offer peace, WalletHub ranks it top safe.
You might be wondering why South Burlington feels right—it’s a lakeside haven with Lake Champlain’s 120-mile shore luring 50,000 sailors, and Shelburne Farms’ 1,400 acres churn 10,000 pounds of cheddar yearly. Church Street, 5 minutes away, draws 1 million strollers—Burlington airport jets 800,000 flyers. Summers hit 79°F, winters drop to 15°F—1,500 tech and farm jobs, 15 parks stack apples, trails weave 30 miles for 100,000 hikers. It’s a quiet spot with 170 sunny days, no floods in 13 years, perfect for settling down.
The Final Forecast: Your Move in Nature’s Chess Game
There you have it, folks – 15 cities where you’re more likely to complain about the neighbor’s loud music than a hurricane knocking on your door. But remember, while these places might dodge the big disasters, they each come with their own quirks and challenges. After all, where’s the fun in life without a little excitement?
Your Turn: Where Would You Plant Your Disaster-Proof Flag?
So, which of these havens has caught your eye? Are you ready to trade in your storm shutters for snow boots, or your earthquake kit for a set of golf clubs? We want to hear from you! Drop a comment below and tell us which city you’d pack your bags for, or if you think we’ve missed a hidden gem. And hey, if you’re already living in one of these safe havens, give us the inside scoop – is it really as disaster-free as the data suggests? Remember, while we’ve done our homework, always do your own research before making any big moves. Your perfect safe haven might be on this list, or it might be right where you’re sitting now. Stay safe out there, and may the odds of avoiding natural disasters be ever in your favor!
