A vehicle is left abandoned in floodwater on a highway after Hurricane Beryl swept through the area on July 8, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., and thanks to climate change, rising sea levels, wildfires, and changing precipitation patterns are increasing the number and intensity of extreme weather events with torrential rainfall. Already this year, there have been 39 flood-related deaths. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting “above-normal” hurricane activity this season, adding to the flooding risk.


Floodwater carries risks of injury, illness, and even death.

Published July 30, 2024
By Morgan Coulson
ENVIRONMENT INFECTIOUS DISEASES INJURY PREVENTION