Flooding has tragically resulted in an average of over 125 deaths per year in the United States in recent decades, as per statistics from the National Weather Service.
Flash floods, in particular, have been identified as the leading storm-related cause of fatalities in the nation.
Authorities are currently assessing the devastating effects of heavy rains that wreaked havoc in Texas Hill Country, claiming at least 32 lives and leaving many others missing.
Frantic parents have been searching for information regarding their daughters who remain unaccounted for at a girls’ camp near the Guadalupe River.
Rescue operations have been in full swing, utilizing helicopters, boats, and drones to search for victims, as well as to rescue those stranded in trees or cut off from help by washed-out roads.
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall, impacting Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Virginia.
This catastrophic storm resulted in approximately 250 deaths, with many casualties resulting from severe inland flooding rather than from winds.
Hurricane Helene marked the deadliest hurricane to affect the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.
The storm devastated remote towns in the Appalachian region and left millions without basic services such as power and cellular communication.
In North Carolina alone, the death toll from Helene reached 108, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.
Additionally, in late July 2022, raging floodwaters in eastern Kentucky led to significant destruction, resulting in the loss of 45 lives.
The flooding destroyed numerous homes and businesses while causing widespread damage to infrastructure, including schools, roads, bridges, and water systems, leaving thousands of families devoid of possessions.
In August 2021, an extraordinary rainfall of over 17 inches (43 centimeters) in less than 24 hours led to flooding near the small town of Waverly, Tennessee, resulting in 20 fatalities.
Homes were swept off their foundations, vehicles were wrecked, and businesses were demolished, with the tragedy encompassing the loss of twin babies who were taken from their father’s arms during the flood.
Hurricane Harvey, a powerful Category 4 storm, struck Texas in August 2017.
Harvey lingered over the region, releasing several feet of rain on many Gulf Coast communities and the Houston area.
The storm was responsible for at least 68 deaths, significantly attributed to freshwater flooding, and it damaged more than 300,000 structures with an estimated financial impact of $125 billion.
Another rainstorm in West Virginia, initially perceived as minor, escalated into a severe disaster overnight, trapping many individuals and ultimately claiming 23 lives across the state.
In October 2012, Superstorm Sandy hit New York and the surrounding areas, merging the characteristics of a hurricane with other storms.
The calamity claimed 147 lives in total, with 72 fatal incidents occurring in the eastern United States.
Drowning accounted for over 110 deaths during this storm, further emphasizing the risks associated with severe weather events.
In the spring of 2011, heavy rainfall across several states and an atypical melting period led to rivers in the Mississippi River Basin swelling dangerously.
Flash floods during this period resulted in 24 fatalities across states, including Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee, as reported by the National Weather Service.
Hurricane Ike struck the southeast Texas Gulf Coast in September 2008, producing a storm surge that reached heights of 20 feet (6 meters) in Galveston.
Ike unleashed over 4 feet (1.2 meters) of rain on Houston, destroying thousands of vehicles and adversely affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands of families with flood-damaged homes.
In total, Hurricane Ike was responsible for more than 100 deaths, many of them caused by flooding.
Among these tragic events, Hurricane Katrina remains the deadliest flooding incident in the United States over the last 25 years.
The storm struck the Gulf Coast and prompted catastrophic flooding when levees in New Orleans failed, necessitating rescues via boat and helicopter from rooftops.
Hurricane Katrina, which is also known as the costliest storm in U.S. history, resulted in nearly 1,400 deaths and inflicted damages estimated at $200 billion.
Tropical Storm Allison, which made landfall in June 2001, caused 41 deaths primarily due to extensive flooding resulting from 40 inches (101 centimeters) of rain across Texas and Louisiana.
Allison lingered as a threat for days after landfall, causing significant flooding in Houston and highlighting the persistent risks associated with tropical storms.
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