Updated August 27, 2026
These figures are collected from U.S. government sources. Each statistic has a dated source so homeowners, reporters and researchers can trace the number back to the original publication.
98%
of U.S. counties have experienced a flood
FEMA reported in August 2025 that 98% of U.S. counties have experienced flooding.
Source: FEMA, “Floods Can Happen Anywhere: Be Prepared with Flood Insurance,” August 6, 2025<4%
of U.S. households have an NFIP policy
The same FEMA update reported that fewer than 4% of U.S. households carry a National Flood Insurance Program policy.
Source: FEMA, “Floods Can Happen Anywhere: Be Prepared with Flood Insurance,” August 6, 2025~40%
of NFIP flood claims come from outside high-risk flood zones
FEMA reported that about 40% of National Flood Insurance Program flood insurance claims come from outside high-risk flood zones.
Source: FEMA, “Floods Can Happen Anywhere: Be Prepared with Flood Insurance,” August 6, 2025$250K
maximum NFIP building coverage for homeowners
FEMA states that homeowners can secure National Flood Insurance Program building coverage of up to $250,000.
Source: FEMA, “Floods Can Happen Anywhere: Be Prepared with Flood Insurance,” August 6, 2025$100K
maximum NFIP contents coverage for homeowners and renters
FEMA states that homeowners and renters can secure National Flood Insurance Program contents coverage of up to $100,000.
Source: FEMA, “Floods Can Happen Anywhere: Be Prepared with Flood Insurance,” August 6, 2025$25K+
in damage from five inches of floodwater
FEMA stated in February 2025 that five inches of water can cause more than $25,000 in damage.
Source: FEMA, “Rumor: A little water would not cause much damage,” February 14, 2025$203B
in U.S. inland-flooding losses from 1980–2024
NOAA’s billion-dollar disaster database puts inflation-adjusted U.S. inland-flooding losses at $203.0 billion through 2024.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Billion-Dollar Disasters summary statistics, data through 202445
billion-dollar U.S. flooding events from 1980–2024
NOAA recorded 45 U.S. flooding events with losses of at least $1 billion each, adjusted to 2024 dollars, during that period.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. billion-dollar disaster summary, data through 202424–48
hours to dry out after a flood
The CDC advises cleaning and drying a home fully and quickly, within 24 to 48 hours after a flood, to help prevent mold growth.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Mold,” September 26, 2024Methodology and sources
What these figures cover.
This page separates flood exposure and flood losses from the broader water-damage issues that can follow leaks, storms and other water events. Dollar figures use the source’s stated method. NOAA’s disaster totals are inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars; FEMA’s damage example is a public preparedness estimate; and the CDC timing is public-health cleanup guidance after a flood.
Source dates range from September 2024 to August 2025, with NOAA disaster data through 2024. Reviewed August 27, 2026. The page is reviewed regularly and the source date beside each figure is retained when the number is updated.
Cite this page
A simple citation for this reference.
US Water Damage Pros. “U.S. Water Damage, Flood and Mold Statistics.” Updated August 27, 2026. https://uswaterdamagepros.com/water-damage-statistics.