Health
4 U.S. Regions Facing Increased Flood Risks
Health Points
- Rising atmospheric water vapor is raising flood risks in specific U.S. regions.
- The Southeast, Alaska, New England, and the Southwest are most impacted, according to new climate data.
- Understanding regional risks is key for personal and community safety as weather changes accelerate.
New research reveals that four parts of the U.S. are now more likely to experience dangerous flooding due to a major rise in water vapor. Warmer temperatures are creating severe weather and increasing moisture, putting millions at higher risk than before.
The Southeast has seen moisture flow increases up to 5.8 percent, affecting states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee. These shifts mean heavier rainfall and the potential for more intense flood events in communities that already struggle with hurricanes.
In Alaska, climate experts note a significant 7 percent increase in water vapor across 43 percent of the state, leading to new flooding threats in the Arctic regions. These changes may bring more storms from the Pacific than previously recorded.
New England and the Northeast are experiencing uniform increases, with Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware all reporting substantial jumps since 1992. This trend means broader flooding risk across the Northeast corridor.
States along the Southwest and Rocky Mountains—like Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada—are also seeing measurable hikes in atmospheric moisture, prompting concerns about significant weather shifts and local flood dangers.
“We need a new appreciation of the power of water,” said Ed Clark of the National Water Center. “As we’re seeing our world warm and water vapor in the atmosphere increase…it activates something that doesn’t look like anything most humans have seen before.”
Understanding which areas are most vulnerable can help you and your loved ones prepare for changing weather and stay safe as conditions shift across the country.
