Flood Zones

Flooded street with historic home in Charleston, South Carolina

As Development in Flood-Prone Areas Continues, Cities Are Slow to Respond

Drawn by affordable property, low taxes, and job opportunities, high numbers of Americans continue to move to flood-prone areas even as the threat of catastrophic flooding grows.

October 5, 2022 - The Washington Post

Harvey Floods Houston

NPR: HUD Sells Flood-Prone Homes Without Disclosing Risks

The troubling trend is particularly pronounced in lower-income communities, where experts worry households are being inadvertently set up for big financial losses.

September 28, 2021 - NPR

Climate Change and Flooding

Over 80 Million People Live in Flood Zones

New research shows a 24% increase in people living in flood-prone areas since 2000, prompting calls for increased adaptation measures.

August 6, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Cedar Rapids Floods

Coastal States Are Building in Flood Zones Faster Than Anywhere Else

Here's a trillion dollar real estate market on the coasts of the United States—and it's building itself into rising levels of risk.

August 5, 2019 - The New York Times

Flodding

Floodplain Development Grows as Regulations Shrink

More Americans are moving to high-risk flood zones as environmental deregulation wins the day.

August 21, 2018 - Governing

Hurricane Harvey

Buying Flood-Prone Houses an Expensive Proposition in Texas

Harris County has a home buyout program, designed to reduce the amount of residents living in flood-prone homes. But when it comes to home buyouts, a lot of money goes a little way.

June 6, 2018 - Houston Chronicle

A Flood Zone Real Estate Boom in Post-Sandy New York

Has New York done enough to continue to build new high-end buildings in flood zones around the city?

October 7, 2015 - New York Magazine

Cuomo Proposes Bold Plan to Return NY Coastline to Nature

An ambitious plan being proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo would see $400 million spent to purchase homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy with the intent of demolishing them and returning their properties to undeveloped coastline, reports Thomas Kaplan.

February 4, 2013 - The New York Times

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