Dataviz

Introduction

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States. Each year, severe weather events like hurricanes, heavy rainfall, and rising sea levels cause billions of dollars in damage and disrupt countless lives. Are you prepared for the next flood?

This page highlights the financial and personal impacts of flooding, shares lessons from past disasters, and emphasizes the importance of preparedness. Explore the data, stories, and insights below to deepen your understanding and take steps to protect yourself and your community.

The Financial Toll of Flooding

Flooding devastates not just homes but also livelihoods. In 2024 alone, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) reported significant claims across the country. The chart below identifies the top 10 states with the highest financial impacts, including open, closed with payment, and closed without payment claims.

Key Insight: Texas and Florida lead in total claims, but states like Iowa rank surprisingly high in recovery costs despite having fewer claims, illustrating the widespread financial burden of floods.

Explore the chart to understand how flooding impacts your state.

Data Source: NFIP Claims Data Financial Losses by State

How Flooding Affects Individuals and Businesses

Flood damage affects homes and businesses differently. The chart below breaks down insurance payouts into categories such as building coverage, contents coverage, and combined coverage. It also highlights which occupancy and business groups face the highest risks.

Key Insight: Comprehensive insurance policies and proactive measures are essential to reduce financial losses. For many households and businesses, underinsurance remains a critical issue, increasing the difficulty of recovery after a flood.

Click on chart segments to learn more about specific loss categories and flood zones.

Data Source: NFIP Claims Data Policy and Loss Statistics by Flood Zone

Lessons from Recent Flooding Events

Flooding is often a result of severe storms, which are becoming more frequent and intense. In 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread flooding and devastation across Florida, highlighting the need for better preparedness.

Hurricane Helene: Landfall on September 24, 2024, as a Category 4 storm in Florida’s Big Bend region.

Hurricane Milton: Struck Florida on October 9, 2024, as a Category 3 storm, compounding the damage from Helene.

View detailed maps and paths of Hurricanes Helene and Milton to understand how storms create flooding risks.

A Historical Perspective on Flooding

The map below visualizes significant flooding events from 1978 to 2022, showing net payments for damages. Use it to explore how flooding has shaped different regions of the U.S. and understand the increasing frequency of these events.

Key Insight: The data underscores the urgent need for flood preparedness, particularly in high-risk areas.

Select a state on the map to explore flooding events and their impact in detail.

Data Source: NFIP Significant Flood Events