Which states have been hit the hardest by flooding? (2024)

FAQs

Which states have been hit the hardest by flooding? ›

The hardest hit have been Iowa and South Dakota, where some rivers reached record-high levels. At least one person died in the floods in South Dakota, said the state's governor Kristi Noem. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds called the floods “catastrophic” and has declared a state of disaster in 21 counties.

When coastal flooding and riverine flooding are broken down into two separate entities, New Jersey, New York and Virginia top the list for biggest coastal impacts, while the Lone Star State, Louisiana and California rank highest for the potential of losses during riverine events.

Mississippi River Floods of 2019

The conterminous United States recorded the wettest meteorological winter (December 2018 – February 2019) during the 1895–2019 period of record. Most portions of the Mississippi River experienced significant, prolonged flooding during the winter, spring, and summer of 2019.

Extreme flooding can occur in coastal areas particularly when storm surge coincides with normal high tide, resulting in storm tides reaching up to 20 feet or more in some cases. Along the coast, storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane.

Bihar, which borders the Himalayan nation of Nepal, is India's most flood-prone state.

By category (and back to coastal states with ocean coastlines), Florida has the highest number of square miles exposed to coastal flooding — 758.0. Much of Florida's land, especially along the coast, is low-lying and near sea level, making it particularly vulnerable to flooding.

High-risk flood areas begin with the letters A or V on FEMA flood maps. These areas face the highest risk of flooding. If you own a property in a high-risk zone and have a federally backed mortgage, you are required to purchase flood insurance as a condition of that loan.

Key Findings. California is the most disaster-prone state in the nation, with 282 disaster declarations since 2003. Although known for wildfires, the Golden State has endured eight severe storms in the past five years, the same number of storms that occurred over the preceeding 14 years (from 2003 to 2017).

The most flood-affected state in India falls under the Ganga River basins and Brahmaputra. The Indo-Gangetic- Brahmaputra plains in North and Northeast India carry nearly 60% of India's total river flow.

The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 was the most destructive river flood in the history of the United States, with 27,000 square miles (70,000 km²) inundated in depths of up to 30 feet (9 m) over the course of several months in early 1927.

What city is prone to flooding? ›

The top 10 cities in terms of assets exposed are Miami, Guangdong, Greater New York, Kolkata, Shanghai, Mumbai, Tianjin, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Bangkok.

River flooding caused by hurricanes accounts for much of the risk in Texas and Louisiana. New Jersey's top ranks are largely due to the high cost of living and high economic impact. Accoarding to FEMA, "flood season" in the U.S. runs from June to November, when parts of the country are most at risk.

Bihar is India's most flood-prone state, with 76% of the population of North Bihar living under the recurring threat of devastating flooding. Bihar makes up 16.5% of India's flood-affected area and contains 22.1% of India's flood-affected population.

Coastal areas are at greater risk for flooding during hurricane season (i.e., June to November), while the Midwest is more at risk in the spring and during heavy summer rains. Ice jams occur in the spring in the Northeast and Northwest.

From May through September of 1993, major and/or record flooding occurred across North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Fifty flood deaths occurred, and damages approached $15 billion. Hundreds of levees failed along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.