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

Florida Florida is rated level 5 of 5 for flooding risk due to its flat terrain, high water table, and extensive… Very High Louisiana Louisiana has the highest flood risk in the United States, rated level 5 of 5. Its geography—low-lying… Very High Texas Flooding is a severe hazard in Texas, rated 5 out of 5 on HomeRiskMap. The state experiences flash floods,… Very High Alabama Alabama faces a high risk of flooding, rated level 4 out of 5, due to its Gulf Coast location, extensive… High Arkansas Arkansas faces a high risk of flooding, rated 4 out of 5, due to its varied geography, abundant rainfall, and… High California California faces a high level (4 out of 5) of flood risk due to its varied geography, winter storms, and… High Delaware Delaware is highly vulnerable to flooding, with a risk level of 4 out of 5. Its low-lying coastal geography… High Georgia Georgia faces a significant flooding risk due to its coastal exposure, abundant rivers, and frequent heavy… High Hawaii Hawaii faces significant flood risk, rated level 4 of 5, driven by intense rainfall, flash floods in steep… High Illinois Illinois faces a high risk of flooding, rated 4 out of 5, due to its major rivers, urban stormwater… High Indiana Indiana faces a significant flood risk, with a hazard level of 4 out of 5, driven by its many rivers, flat… High Iowa Iowa faces a high risk of flooding, rated level 4 of 5, due to its extensive river systems, snowmelt, and… High Kentucky Kentucky is rated level 4 of 5 for flooding risk, with hazards ranging from flash floods in Appalachian… High Maryland Maryland faces a high risk of flooding (level 4 of 5), driven by coastal storms, the Chesapeake Bay, and… High Mississippi Mississippi faces a high risk of flooding (level 4 of 5) due to its location along the Gulf Coast, the… High Missouri Missouri has a level 4 flood risk rating, meaning flooding is a significant hazard across the state. Its… High New Jersey New Jersey faces significant flood risk (level 4 of 5) from coastal storms, heavy rainfall, and river… High New York New York faces significant flood risk from coastline storms, heavy rainfall, and river flooding. The state is… High North Carolina Flooding is a significant hazard in North Carolina, rated level 4 out of 5. The state's geography and… High North Dakota North Dakota faces a level 4 out of 5 flood risk due to spring snowmelt, ice jams, and intense rainfall,… High Ohio Flooding is a high-level hazard in Ohio, rated 4 out of 5 in the National Risk Index. River flooding, flash… High Oklahoma Oklahoma faces a substantial flooding risk due to its location in the Southern Plains, where severe… High Oregon Oregon is rated level 4 of 5 for flooding risk. The state experiences river flooding from winter rain and… High Pennsylvania Pennsylvania has a high flood risk, rated 4 out of 5, due to its extensive river systems, mountainous… High South Carolina South Carolina faces a significant flood risk (level 4 of 5), driven by hurricanes, heavy thunderstorms, and… High Tennessee Tennessee faces a significant flood risk, rated level 4 out of 5. The state experiences flash floods, river… High Virginia Virginia faces a high risk of flooding due to its extensive coastline, river systems, and mountainous… High Washington Washington faces a significant flooding risk (level 4 of 5) due to its coastal geography, mountain snowpack,… High West Virginia West Virginia has a high (4 out of 5) flood risk because of its rugged mountains, narrow valleys, and… High Alaska Flooding in Alaska occurs from spring snowmelt, ice jams, glacial outbursts, heavy rain, and coastal storms.… Moderate Arizona Arizona faces a moderate level of flood risk (3 out of 5), driven primarily by intense monsoon storms, winter… Moderate Colorado Colorado faces a moderate (Level 3) flood risk driven by flash floods, mountain snowmelt, and monsoon storms.… Moderate Connecticut Connecticut has a moderate flood risk (level 3 of 5) from coastal storms, river flooding, and heavy rain.… Moderate District of Columbia Flooding is a significant and recurring hazard in the District of Columbia, driven by its location along the… Moderate Idaho Flooding is a moderate hazard in Idaho, rated level 3 out of 5. Most flood losses result from spring… Moderate Kansas Kansas faces a moderate risk of flooding, with flash floods and river flooding most common during late spring… Moderate Maine Maine faces a moderate risk of flooding driven by spring snowmelt, river ice jams, coastal storms, and heavy… Moderate Massachusetts Massachusetts faces a moderate flood risk (level 3 out of 5) from coastal storms, nor'easters, heavy… Moderate Michigan Michigan faces a meaningful flood risk due to its Great Lakes shoreline, inland rivers, and seasonal weather… Moderate Minnesota Minnesota faces a moderate (level 3 of 5) flood risk driven by spring snowmelt, ice jams, and summer… Moderate Montana Montana faces a moderate risk of flooding, driven primarily by spring snowmelt, ice jams, and severe… Moderate Nebraska Nebraska faces a moderate (Level 3 of 5) risk of flooding, driven by major rivers such as the Missouri and… Moderate New Hampshire New Hampshire faces a moderate (level 3 of 5) flooding risk, with floods arising from heavy rainfall,… Moderate New Mexico New Mexico faces a moderate (level 3 of 5) flood risk, driven primarily by intense monsoon rains, flash… Moderate Rhode Island Flooding in Rhode Island can come from coastal storms, rivers overflowing, and heavy local downpours, making… Moderate South Dakota South Dakota has a moderate (Level 3 of 5) flood risk according to FEMA, with spring snowmelt, ice jams, and… Moderate Utah Utah has a moderate flood risk, rated 3 out of 5, driven by spring snowmelt, summer flash floods, and debris… Moderate Vermont Vermont faces a moderate (level 3 of 5) flood risk driven by its mountainous terrain, river valleys, and… Moderate Wisconsin Flooding is a significant natural hazard in Wisconsin, with a moderate Level 3 risk rating. Floods commonly… Moderate Nevada Nevada is rated level 2 of 5 for flooding risk, meaning the state faces relatively low but real danger from… Low Wyoming Wyoming faces a moderate (level 2 of 5) flood risk driven by snowmelt, spring runoff, and intense… Low

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