Flood Risk Data Maps Are Outdated and Underestimated

Recent and repeated flooding events across the country have destroyed thousands of homes classified as low-risk by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), highlighting the need for complete, up-to-date, and publicly available flood risk data. 75% of FEMA maps are outdated, with 11% dating back to the 1970s and 1980s

I have this challenge

the problem

While real estate investors and insurers can privately purchase flood risk information from for-profit companies, the majority of Americans rely on FEMA maps to understand risk.

While FEMA maps use historical flow data from river and tide gauges to calculate risk, they do not reflect current risk or account for future environmental changes. This leaves the individual risk of millions of homes and properties underestimated or unidentified. There is an urgent need for accurate, property-level, publicly available flood risk information in the United States.

the impact

Flooding is the most expensive natural disaster in the U.S., costing hundreds of billions of dollars since 1980.

attributions

First Street Foundation

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