Flood Risk

The Leeland Dam, nestled between two buildings with pointed roofs. People watch the water.

Michigan Senate votes to revise 'lax' dam safety laws

A Bridge Michigan investigation found more than 100,000 Michigan residents live in the floodpath of a high or significant-hazard dam.

October 6, 2026 - The Associated Press

Two people walk through flooded street with wood homes in Louisiana.

Study: Historically redlined neighborhoods face higher risk of extreme flooding

A new study indicates that structural disinvestment can translate into serious risk for vulnerable communities.

July 27, 2026 - Bioengineer

Houses with debris from hurricane piled on front lawns in Florida.

Florida Lawmakers to Reconsider 2024 Law Blocking Local Resilience Efforts

Legislators are proposing changes to a bill that froze all local land use and building code changes, including those designed to reduce risks from flooding and hurricanes.

January 25, 2026 - Inside Climate News

Home perched on steep cliff almost falling due to erosion.

Zillow Deleted Climate Risk From California Listings. This Climate Expert Wants to Bring it Back.

While difficult to estimate for individual homes, experts argue that home buyers should have access to data about flood and wildfire risk, extreme heat, and other climate hazards in the area.

January 22, 2026 - Inside Climate News

urricane flooded street with moving cars and surrounded with water houses in Florida residential area.

New Florida Law Bars Communities From Planning for Climate, Disaster Resilience

A law aimed at speeding up redevelopment after hurricanes bars “burdensome” land use regulations that could help communities rebuild with more resilience.

October 10, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Person stands on sidewalk looking at flooded street in Houston, Texas with one car submerged in street and two dogs swimming across.

Report: One-Fifth of Houston Homes in Flood Areas

The 2025 State of Housing in Harris County and Houston report highlights the health risks posed by inadequate housing.

July 23, 2025 - Urban Edge

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

June 16, 2025 - Governing

Orange and black "Road Closed" and "High Water" signs blocking a flooded roadway in Florida after a hurricane.

FEMA Suspends Flood Rebuilding Standard

The rule was designed to prevent the rebuilding of government-funded projects in areas prone to repeated floods.

February 20, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Blue and white "hurricane evacuation route" sign.

Will Hurricanes Drive Away Florida’s Retirees?

Some children of Florida retirees are urging their parents to leave hurricane-prone areas for safer regions.

October 22, 2024 - Curbed

Two small wood homes with floodwaters in coastal Louisiana after Hurricane Ida.

Floodplain Development Largely Concentrated in Gulf Coast States

Many U.S. cities use ‘routine’ practices like zoning changes and permitting to discourage development in high-risk flood zones.

September 24, 2024 - Grist

Sandbags and red water-filled cylinders lined up on a concrete pier to prevent flooding.

Planning for Future Floods

New climate and flood models are needed to understand growing flood risks.

September 12, 2024 - Governing

Flooding

Texas Adopts Statewide Flood Plan

The plan outlines thousands of suggestions for mitigating flood risk, which pose a threat in all of the state’s planning regions.

August 21, 2024 - Panola Watchman

House filled with sand and damaged by debris after Hurricane Sandy.

FEMA Rule Calls for Updated Flood Modeling

Agency-funded projects will be required to be elevated at least 2 feet above the projected local flood level.

July 16, 2024 - Construction Dive

A gray hope with white roof surrounded by floodwaters that come up just above the home's foundations.

Florida Home Sellers Must Disclose Flood History Under New Law

Prior to the new law, the Sunshine State was one of 18 states that did not require flood disclosure as part of the home selling process.

June 6, 2024 - Inside Climate News

Close-up of blue and white tsunami warning sign on coast in Monterey, California on gloomy day.

Washington State Requests Federal Funding for Tsunami Preparedness

The state’s Department of Natural Resources says it needs continued funding to map coastal areas at risk for tsunami impacts and prepare mitigation and evacuation plans.

February 27, 2024 - King 5 News

Flooded street in Houston, Texas.

Assessing Houston’s ‘Climate Abandonment Areas’

Most of the census tracts designated at high risk of flooding are in less affluent neighborhoods.

February 7, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of coastal development and bright blue ocean in Kaua'i, Hawai'i.

Kaua’i County Uses Long-Range Models to Mandate Resiliency Standards

The county requires builders to assess potential flood risks using models that account for sea level rise projected as far out as 2100.

September 28, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Aerial view of beach homes in Galveston, Texas

Looking for a Beach House? Check Your Risk First.

A new report from the insurance industry names the historic town of Galveston, Texas as the riskiest place to buy a beach house in the United States.

June 26, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

Sandbags stacked in front of a red door on a brick building with ground in front flooded with water

Study: FEMA Buyout Program Could be Accelerating Segregation

A new analysis of the relocation patterns of households that participate in FEMA’s flood buyout program reveals a pattern of increased racial segregation.

June 22, 2023 - Grist

Flooded park agains the downtown Houston skyline

Houston-Area Flood Insurance Costs Eat Into Region's Affordability

A reorganization of FEMA’s flood insurance program will mean increases in insurance costs for coastal homeowners.

June 14, 2023 - Urban Edge

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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