Hurricane Season and Flooding

Statistics from the National Flood Insurance Program

Hurricane Season 2004
The 2004 hurricane season was the most costly in history. Five hurricanes hit the United States, four of which struck Florida including the first Category 4 since Andrew in 1992. States all along the Eastern United States were affected by the storms, including major inland flooding damage along the Appalachian mountain chain.

Hurricane Season 2005
Since 1995, the Atlantic has seen dramatic hurricane activity. For the next few decades, we are expected to be in a cycle of increased hurricane activity (NOAA) and 2005 looks to be no exception.

Key 2004 Hurricane Flood Insurance Statistics (Source: National Flood Insurance Program)

2004 Hurricane Season Flood Insurance Claims Paid to Date (June 1–November 30):

• Total Hurricane Season Claims Paid to Date – Nearly $1.4 Billion
• Claim Payments by Hurricane

  Claim payments by hurricane and claim payment amount.
  Hurricane	Claim Payments
  Ivan	$1,021,156,750
  Fran	$154,465,887
  Jeanne	$78,275,615
  Charley	$50,749,988
  Gaston	$4,747,639

• Top 10 States Receiving Hurricane Season Flood Insurance Claims Payments

  State	Total	Payments to Residential Property Owners	Payments to Commercial Property Owners
  Florida	$810,160,181	$752,878,524	$57,281,657
  Pennsylvania	$175,527,943	$118,480,766	$57,047,177
  Alabama	$171,840,648	$151,021,481	$20,819,168
  West Virginia	$64,828,894	$49,088,141	$15,740,753
  Texas	$46,489,344	$40,839,795	$5,649,549
  North Carolina	$29,176,548	$13,974,496	$15,202,052
  Ohio	$24,897,597	$13,999,636	$10,897,961
  Georgia	$21,032,927	$19,933,919	$1,099,008
  New Jersey	$17,437,544	$16,426,791	$1,010,753
  Virginia	$13,819,318	$9,536,445	$4,282,873

Be FloodSmart – Reducing the Risk

Consumers can visit www.FloodSmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419 to learn how to prepare for floods, how to purchase a National Flood Insurance Policy, and the benefits of protecting their homes and property against flooding.

• Learn your risk. Visit www.FloodSmart.gov to learn your potential risk and get information about local community activities to prevent flood damage.
• Protect your property. Visit the site to get information on protecting your home, possessions and family before the floodwaters start to rise.
• Get flood insurance. The toll-free number and Web site provide flood insurance resources and information, including tools to find an agent and estimate the cost of insurance premiums.