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Summary:
- Flooding in the central U.S. takes many forms. From river flooding in rural areas of the country and port cities, to urban flooding in highly populated metropolitan and suburban areas, no state in the country is spared from the costs of flooding.
- Basic data provided by USGS on streamflow and topography are critical to informing communities about where and how often flooding is expected to occur.
- Scientists are continually developing new techniques to predict flooding. Examples include the NSF-funded National Water Model, which allows forecasts for any stream in the nation, and NOAA-developed FLASH, a model and early warning system for flash floods.
- We live in a changing world, something already recognized by communities and scientists working on flooding issues. We need more research on new solutions, such as nature-based flood mitigation options, to successfully adapt.
To learn about how specific states are impacted by flooding and what you can do to help build flood resilience, select a state resources below.
