U.S. counties most at risk for flooding in 2024

Which parts of the U.S. are most vulnerable to flood damage?

With flood season (June to November) ramping up, LawnStarter ranked this year's counties that are most at risk for flooding.

We compared over 940 counties with a relatively moderate to very high flood risk according to FEMA. Each county's risk and expected annual loss from riverine and coastal flooding was considered. We also looked at the share of populations of children, elderly, and residents in mobile homes, in addition to local demand for flood insurance. 

See where your county landed in the ranking below. To learn how we ranked the counties, see our methodology.

County Rankings

See how each county fared:

Top 5 Close Up

No. 1: Harris County, Texas | 3 Biggest Cities: Houston, Pasadena, Pearland

• Overall Score: 63.87
• Riverine Flooding Risk Score: 100 | Rank: 1
• Coastal Flooding Risk Score: 73.84 | Rank: 131
• Expected Annual Loss from Riverine Flooding: $676.2 million | Rank: 1
• Expected Annual Loss from Coastal Flooding: $829,391 | Rank: 142
• Average Monthly Google Searches for Terms Related to Flood Insurance: 880 | Rank: 1

No. 2: Bergen County, New Jersey | 3 Biggest Cities: Hackensack, Fort Lee, Fair Lawn

• Overall Score: 60.98
• Riverine Flooding Risk Score: 95.16 | Rank: 153
• Coastal Flooding Risk Score: 100 | Rank: 1
• Expected Annual Loss from Riverine Flooding: $7.4 million | Rank: 132
• Expected Annual Loss from Coastal Flooding: $210.4 million | Rank: 1
• Average Monthly Google Searches for Terms Related to Flood Insurance: 70 | Rank: 40

No. 3: Ocean County, New Jersey | 3 Biggest Cities: Toms River, Lakewood, Point Pleasant

• Overall Score: 57.67
• Riverine Flooding Risk Score: 98.09 | Rank: 61
• Coastal Flooding Risk Score: 99.6 | Rank: 3
• Expected Annual Loss from Riverine Flooding: $22 million | Rank: 37
• Expected Annual Loss from Coastal Flooding: $100.5 million | Rank: 2
• Average Monthly Google Searches for Terms Related to Flood Insurance: 50 | Rank: 57

No. 4: Atlantic County, New Jersey | 3 Biggest Cities: Vineland, Atlantic City, Glassboro

• Overall Score: 53.58
• Riverine Flooding Risk Score: 97.55 | Rank: 78
• Coastal Flooding Risk Score: 99.8 | Rank: 2
• Expected Annual Loss from Riverine Flooding: $11.2 million | Rank: 84
• Expected Annual Loss from Coastal Flooding: $77.5 million | Rank: 3
• Average Monthly Google Searches for Terms Related to Flood Insurance: 20 | Rank: 132

No. 5: Cape May County, New Jersey | 3 Biggest Cities: Ocean City, Villas, Cape May Court House

• Overall Score: 52.43
• Riverine Flooding Risk Score: 92.43 | Rank: 239
• Coastal Flooding Risk Score: 99.4 | Rank: 4
• Expected Annual Loss from Riverine Flooding: $5 million | Rank: 204
• Expected Annual Loss from Coastal Flooding: $64.7 million | Rank: 4
• Average Monthly Google Searches for Terms Related to Flood Insurance: 10 | Rank: 189

Key Insights

• Gulf Coast states Florida, Louisiana, and Texas account for nearly half of the 100 most vulnerable counties to flooding. Counties in Texas and Louisiana anticipate among the highest economic impacts from riverine flooding, often caused by hurricanes or tropical storms.  
• Counties in Mid-Atlantic states like New Jersey, New York, and Virginia also face among the highest flood risk. Six Garden State counties scored among the 10 counties with the highest overall economic impact from coastal and riverine flooding. 
• Geologic changes are just one element exacerbating flooding during storms along the mid-Atlantic coast. Research shows much of New York (No. 64), Baltimore (No. 255), and Norfolk, Virginia (No. 39), sank by about 1-2 millimeters between 2007 and 2020. 
• All counties in our ranking have at least relatively moderate flood risk, according to FEMA. Less populated counties in Upstate New York, like Warren (No. 939) and Livingston (No. 941) landed near the bottom alongside Tompkins County, in last place. These counties have more moderate flood risks and with smaller populations, lower economic impact from flooding.

Methodology

First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Counties Most at Risk for Flooding. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into four categories: Flood Risk, Economic Impact, Preparedness, and Population Vulnerability. 

For each of the 943 counties with a relatively moderate to very high risk of coastal and/or riverine flooding according to FEMA, we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table. 

Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each county to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A county's Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked "Best" (No. 1) and the lowest "Worst" (No. 943).

Final Thoughts: Community Flood Control 

Flooding accounts for two-thirds of damage costs from all natural disasters in the U.S.

With sea levels rising, coastal cities sinking, and dams and levees aging, flood events may become even more frequent and destructive. 

2023 had historic rainfall and flooding events across the country, from Southern California to Vermont. Since many people are drawn to coastal and riverside living, floodplain populations continue to grow despite increasing environmental risks. Today, over half of Americans reside in an area with 2X the risk of experiencing a 100-year flood.

With an urban flooding event impacting U.S. cities every 2 to 3 days over the last 25 years, urban stormwater systems are struggling to keep up with early and extreme snowmelt, higher precipitation rates, and stronger hurricanes. 

U.S. cities generate so much stormwater runoff each year that it could supply 93% of the nation's municipal and industrial water usage. Stormwater infrastructure upgrades and natural flood mitigation responses — like stormwater ponds, beach nourishment, and floodplain preservation and restoration — can help reduce urban flooding impacts and recharge drought-stricken aquifers.

Only 4% of U.S. homeowners are protected by flood insurance. Flood insurance can be a worthwhile investment, even for homeowners who don't live in a designated flood zone. 

Take other steps to protect your property from flood damage and help it recover after a flood with help from our guides below. 

• Learn how to keep water drainage from soaking your lawn. 
• See if it's legal in your area to harvest rainwater with a rain barrel.
• Install a french drain to divert stormwater and improve drainage. 
• Keep an eye out for grass mold, fungus, and other lawn diseases after a heavy rainstorm.
• Build a retaining wall.
• Reduce and control erosion on your property.
• Clean up your yard after a hurricane or other natural disaster.

This story was produced by LawnStarter and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.