What is a flood?
In simple terms, a flood is an excess of water on land that normally is dry. For example, water damage to your home from a river that overflowed into nearby streets and yards would be a direct result of flooding.
Summary
Floods happen often and nationwide
- Flooding can occur anywhere, not just in communities near bodies of water.
- Weather events and changes to the land, such as new buildings or droughts, make floods more frequent and widespread. It’s not just a coastal issue — anywhere it can rain, it can flood.
- New construction, including increased concrete without planning for drainage can increase flood risk. This can happen both at the site of the construction and within other parts of a watershed
What causes floods?
Flooding can happen anywhere, and at any time. Weather events commonly cause floods. Changes to the environment — like new buildings — and infrastructure failures — like a broken water main — can play a role, too.
Flood insurance covers many weather, environmental and infrastructure causes of floods, including:
- River, lake or coastal water overflows.
- Heavy or extensive rainfall.
- Melting snow and ice in spring.
- Changes to the land, such as new buildings and sidewalks or burned grass and trees after a wildfire.
- Water seeping through a dam, or levee or a broken water main.
Floods are becoming more common
With weather events increasing in frequency and severity, more communities are experiencing flooding. For example, areas that experience drought are more susceptible to flooding. Dry conditions and hot weather cause soil to harden, making it unable to soak up moisture. This makes the area prone to flooding after it finally gets a heavy rain.
In fact, 99% of counties in the U.S. experienced a flood in the past 20 years. Floods cause significant damage and financial costs to homeowners and businesses.
Flooding happens everywhere
In the past five years, nearly half of all counties in the United States experienced a flood.
Nearly one-third of NFIP claims are from outside the high-risk zones.
River and stream flooding causes $2.9 billion in damage each year.
How can I protect my home and belongings?
Flood insurance is the best way to protect your property and the life you've built.
Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flooding. Federal disaster assistance is not guaranteed; Its's only available with a presidential disaster declaration. Most flood events do not result in a declaration.
You'll need a flood insurance policy to cover the cost of rebuilding after a flood. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers policies for homeowners, renters and businesses.
Types of floods
Storm surge from hurricanes
Hurricanes and other coastal storms often come with an unusual rise in seawater levels called storm surge.
River flooding
Heavy rain, melting snow, and ice or debris jams can cause rivers and streams to overflow. It can happen quickly and last for days or weeks.
Floods after wildfires
Wildfires leave land charred, barren and unable to absorb water. Less water is needed to trigger flooding after a wildfire.
There could be a lot of heartache, a lot of loss and items that can never be replaced. A little bit of water can do a lot of damage.
Pam Kuske
California flood insurance agent