Latest Flood Headlines

All the headlines from our Flood Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Flood Insurance Program to Lapse Nov. 30 Unless Congress Acts

Nov 19 2018 // Once again the fate of the nation’s flood insurance program is coming down to the wire. Authorization for the program is set to expire Friday, Nov. 30 unless Congress acts. The most likely action will be another...

28 Streamflow Records Broken in Carolinas by Hurricane Florence Floods

Nov 19 2018 // A federal report shows Hurricane Florence broke records in a key flooding measure at more than two-dozen stream gauges in the Carolinas. The U.S. Geological Survey released a report Nov. 13 on streamflow, which measures...

Severe Weather Leads to Threat of Flooding in Alabama, Parts of Georgia

Nov 14 2018 // Rain and the threat of flooding continue across the northern Gulf Coast. Forecasters say unofficial rainfall totals show parts of Alabama received as much as 3.5 inches (9 centimeters) of precipitation Monday, and it was...

Climate Groups Warn About Virginia Tax Cut for Homes in Flood-Prone Areas

Nov 9 2018 // A measure approved by Virginia voters this week to cut taxes on homes in flood-prone areas of the flood-prone commonwealth has climate experts warning that it might encourage people to remain in vulnerable areas –...

CoreLogic Expands Flood and Hail Solutions in Canadian Market

Nov 9 2018 // CoreLogic, the Irvine, Calif.-based property data and analytics firm, announced it is expanding its Flood Risk Score and Weather Verification Services for hail into Canada. The availability of the CoreLogic Flood Risk...

Tallying Losses from October’s Global Catastrophes

Nov 8 2018 // October was a deadly and costly month due to natural catastrophes, with the the U.S. and Europe being hit particularly hard, according to Aon’s Impact Forecasting. Total U.S. economic losses from October’s...

FEMA Seeking to Renew Its Private Reinsurance for Flood Insurance Program

Nov 7 2018 // The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has begun the process of renewing its private market reinsurance for the National Flood Insurance Program for 2019, a purchase that could encompass $2 billion of...

Storms, Torrential Floods Lash Sicily, Killing at Least 12 People

Nov 5 2018 // Storms lashing Sicily have killed at least 12 people with torrential floods, Italian authorities said as the country’s leader headed Sunday to the stricken Mediterranean island. Divers pulled out nine of those...

States Urge Insurers to ‘Spread the Word’ on Flood Insurance to Boost Sales

Nov 5 2018 // It might be time for carriers and agents to encourage their clients to buy flood coverage even if they’re not living and working inside a flood zone. Such an action is long overdue, according to insurance...

Critics Say Bond Rating Agencies Ignore Municipalities’ Climate Risk

Nov 5 2018 // Last fall, after a trio of deadly hurricanes, ratings companies warned vulnerable coastal cities to get ready for climate change — or face higher borrowing costs on the $3.9 trillion municipal bond market. Climate...

South Carolina Residents Sue Company Over Toxins Flooded Into Homes by Florence

Nov 5 2018 // Residents of a South Carolina town are suing one of the area’s major employers alleging it allowed toxins to flood onto their property and into their home during Hurricane Florence. The State reports Cheraw residents...

Flood Damage to Central Mississippi Won’t Qualify as Federal Disaster

Nov 5 2018 // Victims of a flash flood that damaged more than 150 structures in central Mississippi are unlikely to qualify for federal disaster aid. WLBT-TV reports the Mississippi Emergency Management completed its assessment Oct. 1...

North Carolina Approves $400M in Florence Recovery Funds

Nov 5 2018 // North Carolina legislators approved spending $400 million to quickly help people and communities reeling from flooding left by Hurricane Florence and setting aside another $450 million for upcoming needs. The emergency...

Helping Americans Bridge the Insurance Gap

Nov 5 2018 // Consumers seldom think about auto and homeowners insurance until the unthinkable happens and they need to file a claim. However, with increasing frequency, Mother Nature is bringing widespread devastation to the U.S. So...

Officials Propose Texas Coastal Protection Plan

Nov 5 2018 // State and federal officials on Oct. 26 recommended a plan to protect the Texas coast from hurricanes — particularly the Houston area — with a barrier system made up of floodwalls, floodgates and seawall...

Texas Governor Seeks Federal Disaster Declaration After Severe Weather, Flooding

Nov 1 2018 // Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has asked President Donald Trump for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Texas counties heavily impacted by recent severe weather and flooding that caused widespread damage across the state....

Update: Typhoon Yutu Pummels Philippines; Death Toll Rises from Landslides, Floods

Oct 31 2018 // At least 10 people were killed and about 20 are missing in a trail of landslides in the mountainous region of northern Philippines after the devastation caused by Typhoon Yutu, according to government authorities. Rescuers...

Climate Change Impact Assessment Looks at Risk, Readiness Around U.S.

Oct 25 2018 // Low risk, but low readiness. That’s the assessment for Long Beach, Calif., a city that’s close to my heart. For those who love numbers, the city has a risk score of 49.48, and a readiness score of 47.01. Not...

Austin’s Flood-Induced Boil-Water Decree Could Last Weeks, Official Says

Oct 24 2018 // Nearly 900,000 people in Texas’ capital may have to boil their tap water for two weeks, an official said Tuesday, as authorities struggled to treat a water supply filled with silt, mud and debris after recent heavy...

Verisk Product Scores Properties on Flood Risk; Could Replace Outdated Flood Maps

Oct 23 2018 // Data analytics firm Verisk is touting the launch of WaterLine, an underwriting tool that scores flood risk for all properties in the contiguous United States, helping identify homes and businesses vulnerable to flood. The...