Flood Damage and Fatality Statistics: Understanding the Impact
Explore comprehensive data on flood damage and fatality statistics. Learn about the far-reaching effects of flooding, from property loss to the tragic cost of human lives, and how these figures shape our approach to flood preparedness and response.
Flooding Statistics
At first, it's just rain - a common, even comforting occurrence. But under certain conditions, this ordinary event can escalate rapidly into a flood, a force of nature that has the power to reshape landscapes and lives. The impact of flooding is starkly reflected in the cold, hard numbers of flood damage and fatality statistics. It's a story told in billions of dollars, thousands of homes, and tragically, human lives lost.
Flooding is the most common type of natural disaster worldwide - 40% of all natural disasters. Grasping the magnitude of these statistics is not merely an exercise in understanding the devastation brought by floods, but it also underscores the urgency for comprehensive flood prevention, preparedness, and response strategies. This article seeks to provide an in-depth analysis of flood damage and fatality statistics, aiming to promote understanding and awareness of the far-reaching consequences of flooding events.
Flooding is the most common type of natural disaster worldwide - 40% of all natural disasters. Grasping the magnitude of these statistics is not merely an exercise in understanding the devastation brought by floods, but it also underscores the urgency for comprehensive flood prevention, preparedness, and response strategies. This article seeks to provide an in-depth analysis of flood damage and fatality statistics, aiming to promote understanding and awareness of the far-reaching consequences of flooding events.
June 30th-July 7th, 2022
June 30th-July 7th, 2022
United States
- Flash flooding is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.- approximately 200 deaths per year
- Over 50% of flood-related drownings are vehicle-related.
Flood Insurance Loss Statistics
2. Louisiana $1,542,959,989.27
3. Florida $1,479,585,524.19
4. New Jersey $577,019,343.82
5. North Carolina $550,946,543.87
6. South Carolina $414,951,356.42
7. Missouri $407,742,372.26
8. New York $360,534,936.08
9. California $353,244,485.27
10. Pennsylvania $313,186,521.60
US Flood Fatalities (1960 - 1995)
2. California 255
3. South Dakota 248
4. Virginia 241
5. West Viriginia 240
Flood Insurance Loss Statistics (NFIP, 2025 +- Latest Available)
- Louisiana — $1.6 Billion in losses, 434,853 policies, 20.9% homes insured, avg. cost $759.
- Florida — $1.4 Billion in losses, 1,770,988 policies, 17.9% homes insured, avg. cost $853.
- Texas — $1.2 Billion in losses, 639,256 policies, 5.5% homes insured, avg. cost $791.
- New Jersey — $634 Million in losses, 200,764 policies, 5.3% homes insured, avg. cost $1,247.
- South Carolina — $582 Million in losses, 198,606 policies, 8.4% homes insured, avg. cost $751.
- North Carolina — $551 Million in losses, 131,308 policies, 2.8% homes insured, avg. cost $916.
- Mississippi — $414 Million in losses, 52,820 policies, 4.0% homes insured, avg. cost $847.
- Virginia — $330 Million in losses, 92,562 policies, 2.6% homes insured, avg. cost $1,166.
- California — $310 Million in losses, 339,000 policies, 0.8% homes insured, avg. cost $859.
- Pennsylvania — $313 Million in losses, 35,000 policies, 1.2% homes insured, avg. cost $869.
Note: Most flood insurance policies in the U.S. are through NFIP. Louisiana, Florida, and Texas lead in losses and coverage, but a major gap persists nationwide.
Sources:
- ValuePenguin 2025 Flood Insurance Report
- III.org Flood Insurance Facts
- World Population Review: Floods by State
- Kiplinger: Flood Insurance Cost 2025
- Liberty Street Economics: Flood Insurance
US Flood Fatalities by State (Cumulative & Recent Major Events)
- Texas — Over 1,100 deaths (all-time), including 134 deaths in Central Texas Flood, July 2025.
- Louisiana — ~693 deaths (Katrina and major events).
- California — ~339 deaths, including 7 deaths in 2024.
- Pennsylvania — ~277 deaths.
- Virginia — ~265 deaths.
- South Dakota — ~249 deaths.
- Kentucky — 178 deaths (includes 45 deaths in 2022 Eastern Kentucky flood).
- Florida — 66 deaths (Helene, 2024).
- North Carolina — 181 deaths (108 deaths from Hurricane Helene, 2024).
- West Virginia — ~189 deaths.
Recent standout disasters for fatalities include Hurricane Helene (2024, North Carolina/Florida/Tennessee), Kentucky (2022, flash floods), and Texas (2025, Central Texas Flood). Fatal events often occur outside designated high-risk areas, where flood insurance coverage is lowest.
Sources:
- EcoFlow: Flooding in the US Keeps Getting Worse
- Insurance Journal: Deadliest Floods in Last 25 Years
- World Population Review: Floods by State
- Statista: US Flood Deaths Statistics
- ValuePenguin 2025 Flooding Trends
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