With flood season (June to November) ramping up, LawnStarter ranked this year's counties that are most at risk for flooding.
We compared over 940 counties with a relatively moderate to very high flood risk according to FEMA. Each county's risk and expected annual loss from riverine and coastal flooding was considered. We also looked at the share of populations of children, elderly, and residents in mobile homes, in addition to local demand for flood insurance.
See where your county landed in the ranking below. To learn how we ranked the counties, see our methodology.
County Rankings
See how each county fared:
No. 1: Harris County, Texas | 3 Biggest Cities: Houston, Pasadena, Pearland
No. 2: Bergen County, New Jersey | 3 Biggest Cities: Hackensack, Fort Lee, Fair Lawn
No. 3: Ocean County, New Jersey | 3 Biggest Cities: Toms River, Lakewood, Point Pleasant
No. 4: Atlantic County, New Jersey | 3 Biggest Cities: Vineland, Atlantic City, Glassboro
No. 5: Cape May County, New Jersey | 3 Biggest Cities: Ocean City, Villas, Cape May Court House
First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Counties Most at Risk for Flooding. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into four categories: Flood Risk, Economic Impact, Preparedness, and Population Vulnerability.
For each of the 943 counties with a relatively moderate to very high risk of coastal and/or riverine flooding according to FEMA, we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table.
Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each county to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A county's Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked "Best" (No. 1) and the lowest "Worst" (No. 943).
Flooding accounts for two-thirds of damage costs from all natural disasters in the U.S.
With sea levels rising, coastal cities sinking, and dams and levees aging, flood events may become even more frequent and destructive.
2023 had historic rainfall and flooding events across the country, from Southern California to Vermont. Since many people are drawn to coastal and riverside living, floodplain populations continue to grow despite increasing environmental risks. Today, over half of Americans reside in an area with 2X the risk of experiencing a 100-year flood.
With an urban flooding event impacting U.S. cities every 2 to 3 days over the last 25 years, urban stormwater systems are struggling to keep up with early and extreme snowmelt, higher precipitation rates, and stronger hurricanes.
U.S. cities generate so much stormwater runoff each year that it could supply 93% of the nation's municipal and industrial water usage. Stormwater infrastructure upgrades and natural flood mitigation responses — like stormwater ponds, beach nourishment, and floodplain preservation and restoration — can help reduce urban flooding impacts and recharge drought-stricken aquifers.
Only 4% of U.S. homeowners are protected by flood insurance. Flood insurance can be a worthwhile investment, even for homeowners who don't live in a designated flood zone.
Take other steps to protect your property from flood damage and help it recover after a flood with help from our guides below.
This story was produced by LawnStarter and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.
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