HURRICANES 
Hurricanes can bring strong winds, heavy rains and storm surge in coastal areas. As hurricanes and tropical storms move inland, torrential rains and high winds can cause damage hundreds of miles from the coast. Hurricane Ike in 2008 was the third most destructive hurricane ever to hit the United States. In Texas, Ike’s 100 mph winds, 13-foot high storm surge and 16 inches of rain destroyed thousands of homes and properties. Figures from NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center reports puts losses from the storm at $27 billion. 

TROPICAL STORMS 
Wind speeds don’t tell the entire story when it comes to tropical storms. Intense rainfall, not directly related to the wind speed of a tropical storm, often causes the 


WEST COAST THREATS  
The West Coast rainy season usually lasts from November to April, bringing the majority of yearly precipitation to states in the Pacific Northwest.  In January 2009, Washington experienced some of the worst flooding on record. A combination of heavy rains and snowmelt caused extensive flooding and mudslides, with an estimated $125 million in flood damage to roads, buildings and other government structures. 

LEVEES & DAMS 

The U.S. has thousands of miles of levees and dams that are designed to protect against a certain level of flooding. These structures can erode and weaken over time, and they can also be overtopped—or even fail—during large flood events. In 2008, heavy rains and rapid snowmelt in the Midwest caused dam and levee breaches across the region, with some river crests exceeding 500-year levels. The resulting floods caused devastating damage to homes and businesses. 

FLAsh floods 

Flash flooding is the #1 weather-related killer in the U.S. A flash flood is a phenomenon that occurs within 6 hours of an event that generates significant flood waters, such as a thunderstorm, the collapse of a man made structure or an ice break. In August 2009, flash floods occurred in the Louisville, Kentucky area after the region experienced record-breaking rainfall rates, with one location reporting an astounding 8.8 inches per hour. Damages from the flash flooding in Louisville are estimated at $8.5 million. 

Visit www.floodsmart.gov/noaa to learn more about flood history and causes, safety precautions, flood risks, and flood insurance policy options. 
FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are proud to  partner with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service (NWS) to demonstrate flood risks across the country and provide important information about steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.  


March 2010