Which states have the highest flooding risk?

Florida currently ranks at the top of this list (Very High). Rankings are statewide averages — a county can sit well above or below that score.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

Standard homeowners insurance almost never covers flood. You need a separate NFIP or private flood policy, and it usually has a waiting period.

How should I use this ranking?

Find your state, open the state × hazard page, then verify the address on the official maps linked there. This page is a comparison tool, not a determination.

Flooding Risk by US State — Maps, Data & Home Preparedness

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States, affecting every state.

How to prepare your home

Check your address on the FEMA flood map and learn your flood zone.
Consider flood insurance — standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage.
Elevate utilities (furnace, water heater, electrical panel) above potential flood levels.
Install check valves in plumbing to prevent backflow.
Keep gutters and storm drains clear and grade your yard away from the foundation.

Official sources

All states ranked by flooding risk

Highest exposure first. Click a state for the full flooding briefing and source links.

Florida Florida gets hit by flooding from storms, sea level rise, and just plain heavy rain, and almost every county… Very High Louisiana Louisiana is one of the riskiest states for flooding, and it’s not just the coast — heavy rain, rivers,… Very High Texas Flooding is one of Texas's most frequent and costly natural hazards, and FEMA's National Risk Index places… Very High Alabama Flooding is Alabama's most frequent and widespread natural hazard, driven by Gulf hurricanes and tropical… High Arkansas Arkansas gets a level 4 out of 5 for flood risk, and the Delta and river valleys are the sharpest edges. If… High California California's flood risk is higher than most people think, and the state rates at level four out of five. If… High Delaware Delaware floods from both the coast and the rivers, and the risk is not limited to the beach towns. If you… High Georgia If you own a home in Georgia, flooding is the risk you're most likely to underestimate. This page tells you… High Hawaii Hawaii's statewide flood risk is a 4 out of 5, and that number comes from real events — not just hurricane… High Illinois Illinois floods more often than people think — rivers, flash floods, and basement backups. If you're buying… High Indiana Indiana has a level 4 out of 5 flood risk, and it's not just river towns — heavy rain and flash floods hit… High Iowa Iowa floods — not just along the big rivers, but in towns like Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, and your… High Kentucky Kentucky's flood risk is a 4 out of 5 statewide, and it's not just river towns—heavy rain can flood… High Maryland Maryland faces a high risk of flooding from coastal storms, heavy rainfall, and river overflow. The state's… High Mississippi Flooding is one of Mississippi's most frequent natural hazards, driven by Gulf hurricanes and storm surge,… High Missouri Missouri faces a high flood risk from the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, fast-rising Ozark streams and… High New Jersey Flooding is a major risk in New Jersey, rated 4 out of 5 for this hazard. The state's coastal location,… High New York Flooding is a statewide hazard in New York, driven by Atlantic coastal storms and storm surge, fast-rising… High North Carolina Flooding is one of North Carolina's most frequent and costly natural hazards, and it looks different across… High North Dakota North Dakota has a level 4 out of 5 risk for flooding, driven by spring snowmelt, ice jams, and heavy rain.… High Ohio Flooding is one of Ohio's most common and costly natural hazards, affecting river communities, Appalachian… High Oklahoma Oklahoma faces significant flooding risk from heavy rainfall, severe storms, and river flooding. The state's… High Oregon Oregon is rated at level 4 out of 5 for flooding risk, reflecting the state's frequent river floods, flash… High Pennsylvania Pennsylvania has a high risk of flooding, rated level 4 out of 5, due to its many rivers, steep terrain, and… High South Carolina South Carolina faces a high level of flood risk from hurricanes and tropical storms, slow-moving river… High Tennessee Tennessee faces a high risk of flooding, rated level 4 out of 5, due to its diverse geography including major… High Virginia Flooding is Virginia's most frequent and most costly natural hazard, rated 4 out of 5 by HomeRiskMap. Risks… High Washington Washington faces a high risk of flooding (level 4 of 5) due to its diverse geography, including coastal… High West Virginia West Virginia faces significant flooding risk due to its mountainous terrain, narrow valleys, and numerous… High Alaska Flooding in Alaska can come from spring snowmelt and ice jams, coastal storm surges, heavy rain, and glacial… Moderate Arizona Arizona's flood risk is real, even in the desert. Monsoon flash floods can hit any county, and your regular… Moderate Colorado In Colorado, flooding can hit homes far from a river, from Front Range flash floods to plains river rises and… Moderate Connecticut Connecticut's flood risk sits at a 3 out of 5, with the coast and river valleys taking the hardest hits. If… Moderate District of Columbia If you're buying or insuring a home in the District of Columbia, treat flooding as a real risk, not just a… Moderate Idaho Flooding in Idaho is mostly a mountain and canyon story, not a hurricane story — snowmelt, rain-on-snow,… Moderate Kansas If you're buying or insuring a home in Kansas, treat flooding as a real line item, not just a spring… Moderate Maine Flooding is one of Maine's most frequent natural hazards, rated 3 out of 5 for risk. The state faces spring… Moderate Massachusetts Flooding is a moderate risk in Massachusetts, rated 3 out of 5 by FEMA's National Risk Index. The state faces… Moderate Michigan Flooding is a significant hazard in Michigan, affecting river communities, urban areas, and Great Lakes… Moderate Minnesota Flooding is one of Minnesota's most frequent and costly natural hazards, driven by spring snowmelt and ice… Moderate Montana Flooding is a moderate risk in Montana, rated level 3 of 5, and can occur from spring snowmelt, summer… Moderate Nebraska Flooding is one of Nebraska's most frequent and costly natural hazards, driven by Missouri River flooding,… Moderate New Hampshire Flooding is one of New Hampshire's most common natural hazards, driven by heavy rain, snowmelt, ice jams, and… Moderate New Mexico Flooding in New Mexico is a moderate risk, driven mainly by flash floods during the summer monsoon season and… Moderate Rhode Island Flooding is a significant risk in Rhode Island due to its extensive coastline, numerous rivers, and dense… Moderate South Dakota Flooding is one of South Dakota's most frequent and costly natural hazards, rated 3 out of 5 for risk… Moderate Utah Utah is a dry state with a serious flood problem: spring snowmelt and rain-on-snow in the mountains, summer… Moderate Vermont Vermont faces a moderate flood risk (level 3 of 5), driven by heavy rainfall, snowmelt, and ice jams.… Moderate Wisconsin Flooding is a common and costly natural hazard in Wisconsin, driven by spring snowmelt, ice jams, summer… Moderate Nevada Nevada is the driest state in the country, yet flooding is a recurring hazard — mostly flash floods from… Low Wyoming Wyoming faces a moderate but localized flood risk, driven by spring snowmelt, intense thunderstorms, and ice… Low

Official maps for flooding

About these rankings

Which states have the highest flooding risk?: Florida currently ranks at the top of this list (Very High). Rankings are statewide averages — a county can sit well above or below that score.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?: Standard homeowners insurance almost never covers flood. You need a separate NFIP or private flood policy, and it usually has a waiting period.
How should I use this ranking?: Find your state, open the state × hazard page, then verify the address on the official maps linked there. This page is a comparison tool, not a determination.

Last updated: June 12, 2026. Rankings are state-wide estimates based on public hazard data (FEMA, NOAA, USGS) — always verify your specific address with official sources.

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