By Jon Tharp, Broker · November 13, 2026
At a Glance
The City of Asheville has updated its Community Climate Vulnerability map, which creates an index score combining flooding, landslide, wildfire, heat vulnerability and CDC social vulnerability indicators. Clicking an area shows its climate threat score, detailed flood, wildfire and landslide risk data, and links to the Climate Action Toolkit. The map is also part of SimpliCity, where residents can search any City address for a Climate Threats and Vulnerability page.
Click a spot on the map and you get more than a number. Asheville has launched an updated version of its Community Climate Vulnerability map. When a user clicks an area, they see a score for the area's climate threats, with detailed data on flood, wildfire and landslide risk and accompanying links to the Climate Action Toolkit to learn more about those risks and how to handle them.
The map creates an index score that combines climate and social indicators, including flooding, landslide and wildfire, heat vulnerability, and Center for Disease Control (CDC) social vulnerability.
What does the Asheville climate vulnerability map show?
The City designed the map to help both residents and City staff plan and prepare by understanding the challenges the community faces. With the update, map users can access related resources to activate household preparedness and build resilience.
"Knowing our risks and vulnerabilities helps us tailor resources and actions to serve our community and strengthen our individual, household and neighborhood resilience," said Kiera Bulan, Resilience Division Manager in the City's Office of Recovery and Resilience. "Strengthening the connection between map data and the toolkit of solutions can help the community convert information into action."
How do you look up climate risk for an Asheville address?
The map is integrated into the City's SimpliCity tools, which include key Capital Projects, zoning and permitting information, crime and development dashboards, sanitation schedules, and more. From the SimpliCity homepage, you can search any City address.
Among the results is a Climate Threats and Vulnerability page. It displays the climate vulnerability score, details on threats, and toolkit links to learn more.
What changed in the update?
Beyond the toolkit links and streamlined data, the City updated the map's data sources to assure that information is current and accurate. The map is now integrated with the Land of Sky Regional Resilience Assessment data for ongoing updates. The update also improves digital accessibility to be compatible with the latest requirements.
Why did Asheville build this map in the first place?
The original map was developed as part of the City's Climate Resilience Initiative and a commitment to data-informed decision making. That work followed the January 2020 resolution declaring a Climate Emergency.
Foundational climate risk data and insights from the Climate Resilience Assessment, alongside non-climate related vulnerability data, were used to build the map.
Source: City of Asheville
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Asheville climate vulnerability map measure?
The map creates an index score that combines climate and social indicators, including flooding, landslide and wildfire, heat vulnerability, and Center for Disease Control (CDC) social vulnerability.
How do I look up climate risk for an Asheville address?
Search any City address from the SimpliCity homepage. The results include a Climate Threats and Vulnerability page showing the climate vulnerability score, details on threats, and toolkit links to learn more.
Where does the map's data come from?
The map was built from foundational climate risk data and insights from the Climate Resilience Assessment, alongside non-climate related vulnerability data. The updated version uses updated data sources and is integrated with the Land of Sky Regional Resilience Assessment data for ongoing updates.
About the Author
Jon Tharp is a licensed NC real estate broker with Keller Williams. He's helped buyers and sellers across Western North Carolina for over 10 years, specializing in mountain homes, land, and short-term rental investments, with offices throughout WNC covering all mountainous areas. If something in this post has you thinking about a move, he's easy to reach — (828) 347-9055 or smokymountainhomes4sale.com or Jon@jontharphomes.com.
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