Floods rank as one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States. Whether you live near a coastline, along city streets, in the mountains, near a river or even in the desert, there is a potential for suffering from flood damage. In fact, nearly 25% of last year's claims paid by the Nation Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were for policies in moderate to low risk communities. According to the NFIP, houses in the United States have a 26% chance of being damaged by a flood during the course of a 30-year mortgage.
On average, floods cost $6 billion in annual losses in the U.S.
A few more little-known flood facts:
- Floods kill an average of 140 people per year in the U.S., making flooding the most deadly natural disaster.
- More than half of all fatalities during floods are auto related, often the result of drivers misjudging the depth of water on a road and being swept away in a swiftly moving current.
- The principle causes of floods in the Eastern United States are hurricanes and storms.
- The principle causes of floods in the Western United States are snow-melt and rainstorms.
- Underpasses can be some of the most dangerous places during a flash floods-- especially at night, when it's difficult to see.
-Denea Duran
Photo Credit: http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/health/visualizations/flood.html
