New Scientific Modeling Reveals Hidden Flood Risk
National Flood Assessment
Extensive new data modeling shows a harsh new reality that millions of Americans are at risk of flooding. In 2020 groundbreaking research from First Street Foundation, a non-profit group, highlights that 70% of American homeowners are at risk of flooding that isn’t reflected in current FEMA flood maps. This new data reinforces just how urgent and important it is to get flood coverage in place that homeowners need.
What Does It Mean?
First Street’s Flood Model takes into account a number factors that FEMA’s maps do not. These factors include: a rise in sea level as well as an increase in sea water temperature and changing weather patterns. We’ve long assumed that environmental factors played a significant role in the increasing frequency and severity of flooding in the U.S. and First Street Foundation’s research supports that conclusion.
Key Insights
Regions across the country have been shown to have a higher level of risk than previously estimated. The research shows the following cities have the highest number of additional properties at risk.
Property owners grossly underestimate their risk of flooding:
- An additional 3.6 million properties are, what First Street defines as “Almost Certain Risk” of flooding with an annual probability of a flood at 20%
- Nearly 15 million additional properties were found to be in an area of substantial risk, this is 70% higher than current official estimates
- States with the highest number or properties with a substantial flood risk as defined by First Street include: West Virginia, Louisiana, Florida, Idaho, and Montana