OpenFEMA API

OpenFEMA API

FEMA’s OpenFEMA API gives keyless, read-only access to disaster declarations, assistance and other emergency-management datasets. The API docs say: "Use of the service is free and does not require a subscription or API key."

Coverage

Datasets ("Entities") are returned in json, jsona, jsonl, geojson, csv or parquet. By default only 1,000 records are returned per request: "Currently the default value is 1,000 records. The maximum value is 10,000 records." History start and update frequency: Not stated.

Verdict

FEMA disaster declarations, assistance and other emergency-management datasets via a keyless OData-style API (JSON, CSV, Parquet). Licensed Custom (OpenFEMA Terms and Conditions): "By accessing OpenFEMA datasets, you agree that the data will be used solely for statistical research or as a reporting record." "Further you agree not to reidentify nor attempt to reidentify the individuals whose data is aggregated." "By accessing OpenFEMA datasets, you agree that the data cannot be used to make determinations that might affect an individual’s rights or eligibility for benefits." Users must clearly state: "This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s)." Rate limits: Not stated. Signal Lab links only.