Buying flood-prone U.S. land and protecting it from development would be far cheaper than paying later for flood damage to homes and other structures built there, researchers said Monday. With floods one of the mostly costly disasters, and U.S. communities and farms facing record ones this year, protecting floodplains appears to be “hugely cost-effective”, said… Continue reading Protecting Floodplains Could Cut Flood Costs, Researchers Say
Tag: flood insurance
Dorian and Imelda are the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season’s Most Damaging U.S. Storms: I.I.I.
The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season is about to conclude with 18 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher), according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). One tropical storm — Imelda—and two hurricanes—Barry and Dorian—made landfall in the U.S. during the six-month hurricane season, which officially ends on Nov. 30. “This… Continue reading Dorian and Imelda are the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season’s Most Damaging U.S. Storms: I.I.I.
A Wet Year Causes Farm Woes Far Beyond the Floodplains
The damage from the destructive spring flooding in the Midwest has been followed in parts of the country by a miserable autumn that is making a bad farming year worse, with effects that could be felt into next spring. Even the widespread flooding in the spring was worse for many farmers than the images of… Continue reading A Wet Year Causes Farm Woes Far Beyond the Floodplains
Venice Battles Flooding Amid Highest Tide in 50 Years
The mayor of Venice, who said that the city “was on its knees,” has called for a state of emergency and the closing of all schools after the Italian city was submerged under “acqua alta,” an exceptionally high tide — the highest in 50 years. Outdoor restaurant tables and chairs could be seen bobbing in… Continue reading Venice Battles Flooding Amid Highest Tide in 50 Years
Coastal Risk Consulting Partners with U.K.-Domiciled Flood Modeller Fathom
US-based flood and natural hazard risk assessment firm, Coastal Risk Consulting has entered into a new partnership with UK domiciled flood modeller, Fathom. Under the new partnership, Fathom’s up-to-date and comprehensive US flood maps and datasets, for both rainfall and river flooding, are incorporated in Coastal Risk Consulting’s risk reports for US property owners. The… Continue reading Coastal Risk Consulting Partners with U.K.-Domiciled Flood Modeller Fathom
FEMA Delays Major Changes to Flood Risk Rating Program Until 2021
Major changes to the way the federal government rates flood risk are being pushed back a year. The Federal Emergency Management Agency delayed the release of its “Risk Rating 2.0” plan, which would rate homes’ flood risk more precisely than current models. It will now go into effect in October 2021. “Some additional time is… Continue reading FEMA Delays Major Changes to Flood Risk Rating Program Until 2021
Houston-Area Flood Control Projects Proceed After Harvey
On a Friday night in August, Diane and Ted Simpson got home from work to find a certified letter from the Harris County Flood Control District notifying them that a portion of their backyard was in a public right of way. The Houston Chronicle reports a fence and an old brick shed, both of which… Continue reading Houston-Area Flood Control Projects Proceed After Harvey
Hiscox Launches New FloodPlus App to Highlight Threat of Rising Sea Levels
Hiscox, the specialist global insurer, has developed a new app – FloodPlus AR – that uses Augmented Reality (AR) to illustrate the growing flood threat to coastal towns and cities from rising sea levels. The new app allows people to see how predicted sea level rises could affect Greenville, a suburb of Jersey City in… Continue reading Hiscox Launches New FloodPlus App to Highlight Threat of Rising Sea Levels
UN Climate Report Warns of Warming Oceans, Sea Level Rise
The latest United Nations’ climate report released Wednesday paints a dire picture of the world’s oceans, warning that some ice melt may be irreversible as the globe faces rising sea levels that threaten coastal areas. Even if countries significantly curbed their emissions, the planet is marching toward sea level rise of a meter, and most… Continue reading UN Climate Report Warns of Warming Oceans, Sea Level Rise
US Flood Risk Awareness Increasing as Major Insurers Pull Back: Analysts
While current property flood risk disclosure requirements are set at the state level and can vary quite significantly, Morgan Stanley analysts note how some states have begun implementing more stringent conditions following recent major events. Texas, for example, revised its flood risk disclosure requirements following Hurricane Harvey, with property owners now required to disclosure whether… Continue reading US Flood Risk Awareness Increasing as Major Insurers Pull Back: Analysts